Houston Rockets Cruise Past Short-Handed Suns in 114–92 Win

The Houston Rockets delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Wednesday night, rolling past the Phoenix Suns 114–92 at Toyota Center. The game drew extra attention across Houston, largely because Suns star Kevin Durant was ruled out before tipoff. His absence created a clear advantage, and the Rockets seized the moment with a fast-paced, balanced attack.

Rockets control the tempo from the start

Houston set the tone early with aggressive defense and efficient shooting. Jalen Green pushed the pace and attacked the rim, while Alperen Sengun created steady inside pressure. Their combined effort helped the Rockets build a double-digit lead by halftime.

Although Phoenix tried to close the gap in the third quarter, Houston responded with a strong bench performance. Cam Whitmore and Tari Eason provided instant energy, forcing turnovers and sparking transition points. The Suns struggled to find rhythm without Durant, and the Rockets took advantage throughout the night.

Houston fans enjoy a statement home win

The home crowd fed off the Rockets' intensity. Each defensive stop energized the building, and the team delivered one of its most disciplined defensive efforts of the season. Houston held the Suns under 100 points and limited their perimeter looks, which allowed the Rockets to control the game’s tempo for all four quarters.

Even with Devin Booker carrying the scoring load for Phoenix, the Suns lacked playmaking depth. Houston's rotations stayed tight, and communication on switches showed clear improvement from earlier in the season.

Why it matters for the Houston Rockets

This win carries several meaningful implications for the Rockets:

• It reinforces Houston’s progress on defense, which has become a core part of the team’s identity.
• It boosts their confidence in home matchups, an area that often determines playoff viability.
• It offers valuable momentum as they prepare for a challenging stretch against Western Conference opponents.

Although Durant’s absence changed the dynamic, the Rockets still executed a clean, consistent game plan. That discipline is vital as the young roster continues to grow under head coach Ime Udoka.

What’s next

Houston will look to build on this win with another home game later this week. If the defense continues to improve and the bench remains productive, the Rockets could climb quickly in the standings.

Fans across Houston will be watching closely to see whether this momentum carries into December. The next few games will offer a clearer picture of how competitive this group can be against top Western Conference talent.

This article is a summary of reporting by Northeast Valley News. Read the full story here.