HOUSTON – Kevin Durant subtly pounded his chest after drilling the game-winner against the Phoenix Suns, and had some glaring comments about his feelings towards his former team afterwards as well.
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Jan 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston forward Kevin Durant (7) dribbles against Phoenix forward Royce O’Neale (00) in the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
After Monday night’s heartbreaking loss to the Houston Rockets, Durant mentioned in postgame interviews that he felt Phoenix quietly pushed him out, not just physically, but symbolically. When the Suns underachieved, fingers pointed at Durant. For a player whose career has often been criticized for his past, his time in Phoenix brought up old wounds. So when Durant buried the deciding shot against the Suns, it wasn’t about bitterness; it was about authorship.
Jan 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston forward Kevin Durant (7) hugs Phoenix guard Devin Booker (1) after defeating the Phoenix Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant calls out Phoenix Suns:
Durant mentioned, “It feels good to play against a team that booted out of the building and scapegoated you for all the problems that they had, and it hurts because I put all my effort, love, and care towards the Suns.” (Credit: Duane Rankin | AZ Central)
*I just knew it was going up after I came out the huddle.”
Kevin Durant on his game winner 3 to top his former team.
“It feels good to play against a team that booted out of the building and scapegoat-ed you for all the problems that they had and it hurts because I put all my… pic.twitter.com/qdguidaj8S
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 6, 2026
For Suns fans, this moment matters locally because it validates that Durant isn’t a fading star, and he’s a stabilizer. Nationally, it reframes the Suns’ collapse last season as more complex than one superstar scapegoat. Emotionally, it’s a reminder that even elite players carry receipts.
Jan 5, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston forward Durant (7) celebrates with fans after defeating the Suns at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
