PHOENIX — Fans eagerly awaiting Kevin Durant’s return to Phoenix will have to wait a bit longer, as the former Suns star will miss tonight’s game due to personal reasons. The Houston Rockets, who are also grappling with an extensive injury report, will compete against the Golden State Warriors without Durant.
Suns guard Devin Booker expressed his concern and hopes for Durant’s wellbeing ahead of the game. “I hope everything is OK with his family first, but yeah, I would love a matchup with him,” Booker remarked regarding the absence of his former teammate at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
The Suns are scheduled to face the Rockets on December 5 and January 5, with a home game against them slated for April 7. Durant spent 2.5 seasons with Phoenix before his trade to Houston this past summer, which resulted in the Suns acquiring valuable players like Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, and No. 10 draft pick Khaman Maluach.
Despite losing Durant and co-star Bradley Beal, the Suns have surprised many by starting the 2025-26 season with an impressive 11-6 record. Booker reflected on the previous season’s disappointments, noting, “It was tough not getting where we wanted to with Kevin and Bradley. I have high respect for them, but we simply weren’t connected enough.”
Meanwhile, Houston is enjoying a strong start to the season with a 10-4 record, aided by Durant’s contributions, as he averages 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Despite recent shooting struggles, Booker remains a key player for the Suns, aiming to secure their ninth win in the last ten games tonight.
The anticipated competitive matchup between Booker and Durant at the Mortgage Matchup Center may not happen tonight, but both players have shown that they remain committed to their teams, creating hope for exhilarating future encounters on the court.