The Phoenix Suns faced a tough defeat against the Houston Rockets, losing 114-92 on November 24. This game marked the end of a three-game homestand in front of a sellout audience of 17,071 at the Mortgage Matchup Center. The loss halted the Suns’ three-game winning streak, leaving them with an 11-7 record for the season.
The game presented challenges for the Suns, who were short-handed and struggled with turnovers, allowing the Rockets to score 26 points off their 20 mistakes. Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 29 points in a strong performance against his former team, while Devin Booker added 18 points but shot just 5-of-13 from the field.
On the other side, the Rockets were led by Amen Thompson, who scored 28 points, and Aaron Holiday contributed 22 points coming off the bench while hitting 6-of-10 from three-point range. The Rockets themselves, boasting an 11-4 record, started a four-game road trip without star player Kevin Durant, who was absent for personal reasons.
In this matchup, Phoenix was also without key players, including starting center Mark Williams, who rested due to injury management. Williams has not participated in the second game of back-to-backs since joining the Suns. Other sidelined Suns included Jalen Green, Grayson Allen, and Ryan Dunn.
Throughout the game, Houston maintained control, holding a 59-50 lead at halftime, bolstered by scoring 18 points off 11 turnovers by the Suns. As both teams showcased their energy, Dillon Brooks and Collin Gillespie each tallied 13 points for the Suns in the first half, while Thompson and Holiday did the same for the Rockets.
Suns coach Ime Udoka expressed confidence in Brooks’s performance, citing his motivation to play against his former team. “He’s having the freedom to do a lot of things,” Udoka remarked, highlighting Brooks’s aggression in a game that was expected to be emotionally charged for him.
Looking ahead, the Suns will need to regroup quickly and focus on their upcoming games, as they continue to navigate the season’s challenges. The ability to adapt and overcome these obstacles may provide valuable lessons for the team moving forward. Fans can stay engaged with the Suns’ journey by connecting with insider Duane Rankin through his various platforms.