KD Scores 24 in Return to Phoenix as Rockets Erase 21-Point Deficit, Win 7th Straight

Kevin Durant returned to Phoenix on Tuesday night and reminded the Suns exactly what they lost. He scored 24 points on 5-of-9 from three as the Rockets dug out of a 21-point first-half hole and ran away with a 119-105 win. All five Houston starters hit double figures — Amen Thompson went for 22/11/8, Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 with five threes — and it wasn't really close in the fourth quarter despite the early deficit.

The win gives Houston seven straight and pulls them even with the Lakers at the 4th seed in the West. That's significant: with Luka Doncic in Spain rehabbing his hamstring and Austin Reaves still out, the Lakers are limping toward the playoffs while the Rockets are surging. Devin Booker had 31 for Phoenix but the Suns couldn't hold a massive lead for the second time in a week.

Houston's closing stretch — seven wins in a row with KD looking like vintage KD — could swing homecourt advantage in the first round. They've got three games left. The Lakers have four. Something's gotta give.