Houston Rockets Beat Phoenix Suns 98-92 in Kevin Durant’s Return Game on Peacock

The Houston Rockets edged out the Phoenix Suns 98-92 in a gritty, physical showdown on Peacock NBA MondayMortgage Matchup Center on November 24, 2025 — and the story wasn’t just about the final score. It was about Kevin Durant walking back onto the court where he once lit up the NBA, now wearing a Rockets jersey instead of a Suns one. The game, streamed exclusively on Peacock, drew sharp focus from fans who remembered Durant’s seven-year run in Phoenix — and the emotional whiplash of seeing him face his former teammates.

Kevin Durant’s Emotional Return

When Durant stepped onto the floor at the Mortgage Matchup Center, the arena erupted — not in boos, but in a standing ovation that lasted nearly a full minute. The crowd, still loyal to the player who carried them to the 2021 Western Conference Finals, held up signs reading "Thank You KD" and "We’ll Always Be Your Home." Durant, who signed with Houston in free agency last summer after a contentious exit from Phoenix, responded with a quiet nod and a fist to his heart. He finished with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, but it was his defensive presence — locking down Devin Booker in the fourth quarter — that turned the tide.

"It felt like coming home," Durant said postgame, his voice thick with emotion. "But this isn’t my team anymore. And tonight, I had to beat them. That’s the NBA. That’s the business. And I respect them too much to hold back."

Teams on Opposite Trajectories

Entering the game, the Rockets were surging. At 10-3, they’d won five straight — including a nail-biter against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Cup — and sat third in the Western Conference, just behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nuggets. Their offense, led by rookie phenom Jalen Green (24 points in this game) and veteran playmaker Fred VanVleet, had become one of the league’s most efficient units.

The Suns, meanwhile, were playing with house money. After trading away Durant and Bradley Beal in the offseason — a move that shocked the league — they’d retooled around Devin Booker, who carried a 25.6 PPG average and was quietly having an MVP-caliber season. At 9-6, they were seventh in the West, but their 6-1 stretch since mid-November had many wondering if they were sneaking into playoff contention.

"We’re over the moon with our start," Suns head coach Frank Vogel told reporters before tipoff. "We knew losing KD and Beal would be a challenge. But this team? They’ve got grit. And heart. That’s all we asked for."

Peacock’s Big NBA Bet

This game was one of 100 regular-season matchups broadcast nationally by NBC and Peacock during the 2025-26 season — and the first of 17 exclusive Monday night games on Peacock. For the first time since 2002, the NBA returned to NBC’s broadcast network, but Peacock became the streaming home for all Monday night games, with no regional blackouts. That’s a big deal: fans in Houston, Phoenix, or even rural Montana could watch the same feed, live, without a cable subscription.

Peacock’s free tier offered highlights and condensed games, but full live access required a $5.99/month Premium subscription or $11.99/month Premium Plus. The platform’s gamble paid off: according to internal NBC data, Peacock saw a 312% spike in new sign-ups the week of the Rockets-Suns game — the biggest single-game surge since the platform launched its sports streaming package.

What Happened on the Court

The game was physical from the opening tip. There were six technical fouls, three flagrant fouls, and a 10-minute delay in the third quarter after a hard foul on Rockets center Alperen Şengün. But it was the fourth quarter that decided it. With 2:14 left and the Suns up 90-89, Durant hit a step-back three over Booker — his only three-pointer of the night — to put Houston ahead. Then, with 38 seconds left, VanVleet stripped Booker at midcourt and found Green for a breakaway dunk that sealed it.

Booker finished with 31 points but shot just 9-of-25 from the field. "He was locked in," Booker said. "He knew every move. He knew where I was going. That’s what happens when you play against someone who’s lived your game for years."

The Bigger Picture

This wasn’t just a win for Houston. It was a statement. The Rockets, once a rebuilding project, are now legitimate contenders. Their 10-3 record through 13 games is their best start since 2018. Meanwhile, Phoenix’s resilience has turned skepticism into optimism. They may not have Durant, but Booker is playing like a franchise cornerstone — and young forward Jalen Suggs has emerged as a defensive terror.

The league’s new media deal with NBC Sports Group — which also holds rights to the NFL, Premier League, and Olympics — signals a broader shift: streaming is no longer the backup plan. It’s the main event. And Peacock, despite being a relative newcomer, is now a key player in NBA broadcasting.

What’s Next?

Next up for the Rockets: a back-to-back against the Lakers on December 1, then a home game against the Thunder on December 4 — the defending champions, who beat Indiana in seven games to win the 2025 NBA Finals. The Suns face the Lakers on December 2 at 3:00 AM ET, a game that will likely draw even bigger Peacock numbers.

And don’t forget: Sunday Night Basketball launches in January 2026. That’s when Peacock’s NBA coverage goes prime-time — and the league’s streaming future becomes even clearer.