NBA: Kevin Durant's late 3 helps Rockets outlast Suns

Kevin Durant nailed a 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to lift the Houston Rockets to a 100-97 victory over the visiting Phoenix Suns on Monday, securing the four-game season series.

Durant had struggled from long range, going 1-for-11 from beyond the arc before hitting the game-winner and finishing with 26 points. Jabari Smith Jr., who contributed 17 points and seven rebounds and helped Houston erase a 13-point second-half deficit, assisted on Durant’s decisive shot.

Durant also added 10 rebounds and four assists, while Amen Thompson chipped in 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Despite the win, the Rockets struggled from deep, making just 9 of 37 three-point attempts (24.3%).

Devin Booker led the Suns with 27 points and sparked a 10-0 run that erased a 94-87 deficit in the fourth quarter. Dillon Brooks and Royce O’Neale each added 15 points for Phoenix.

The Suns built their largest lead early in the third quarter when Booker connected with Mark Williams for an alley-oop. Brooks followed a Houston turnover with a 3-pointer, and Booker added a pull-up jumper, extending the lead to 69-56.

But Durant and Thompson, aided by two Smith 3-pointers, brought the Rockets back to tie the game at 78-78 heading into the final period.

Jordan Goodwin, coming off a career-high 26 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, made his first four shots, including three 3-pointers, to give Phoenix a fast start. The Suns led by eight points after the opening quarter, before Houston evened the score at 16-16 on a transition dunk by Reed Sheppard.

Fast-break points set the tone for Phoenix. Leading 29-25 entering the second quarter, the Suns scored 23 fast-break points in the first half, capitalizing on nearly every live-ball turnover by the Rockets. Coupled with strong perimeter shooting, Phoenix maintained control throughout the second quarter.

Collin Gillespie, Goodwin, and O’Neale each made three 3-pointers in the first half, giving the Suns a 60-54 lead at halftime.

—Field Level Media/Reuters