Danielle Lerner: Dillon Brooks ends up getting ejected after he and Kevin Durant got tangled up when Brooks was whistled for a foul on KD. Durant shoved Brooks, who then got into it with Nick Richards.
Source: Bluesky
Source: Bluesky
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NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Kevin Durant suffered an ankle sprain during the third quarter of Rockets-Suns on Sunday.
Mike Budenholzer told reporters that Durant would undergo an MRI on Monday, and would initially not travel with the club to begin a three-game road trip. spr.ly/6016FPqO0 – 12:40 AM
Kevin Durant suffered an ankle sprain during the third quarter of Rockets-Suns on Sunday.
Mike Budenholzer told reporters that Durant would undergo an MRI on Monday, and would initially not travel with the club to begin a three-game road trip. spr.ly/6016FPqO0 – 12:40 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Jumping on @PHNX_Suns from the arena to give the latest on Kevin Durant’s ankle injury, the Suns’ worst loss of the season, and what coach Bud and the team had to say about it:
youtube.com/watch?v=JJiTy3… – 12:28 AM
Jumping on @PHNX_Suns from the arena to give the latest on Kevin Durant’s ankle injury, the Suns’ worst loss of the season, and what coach Bud and the team had to say about it:
youtube.com/watch?v=JJiTy3… – 12:28 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Everybody has to step up starting with myself. Exact opposite of what went down tonight. We have it in the locker room. We just have to pull it out.”
Devin Booker on Kevin Durant possibly missing an extended period of time with a left ankle sprain suffered in Suns 148-109 loss – 12:13 AM
“Everybody has to step up starting with myself. Exact opposite of what went down tonight. We have it in the locker room. We just have to pull it out.”
Devin Booker on Kevin Durant possibly missing an extended period of time with a left ankle sprain suffered in Suns 148-109 loss – 12:13 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Devin Booker on how the Suns prepare for Kevin Durant to potentially miss some time: “Everybody has to step up, starting with myself. The exact opposite of what went down tonight. We have it in the locker room, we just have to pull it out.” – 11:54 PM
Devin Booker on how the Suns prepare for Kevin Durant to potentially miss some time: “Everybody has to step up, starting with myself. The exact opposite of what went down tonight. We have it in the locker room, we just have to pull it out.” – 11:54 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Mike Budenholzer said Kevin Durant will stay back in Phoenix as Suns go on the road to face Milwaukee to begin a three-game road trip Tuesday.
Will get an MRI tomorrow morning.
Suffered a left ankle sprain in third quarter and didn’t return. #Suns #Rockets – 11:36 PM
Mike Budenholzer said Kevin Durant will stay back in Phoenix as Suns go on the road to face Milwaukee to begin a three-game road trip Tuesday.
Will get an MRI tomorrow morning.
Suffered a left ankle sprain in third quarter and didn’t return. #Suns #Rockets – 11:36 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix Suns suffer worst defeat of season to Houston Rockets, lose Kevin Durant to injury (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:29 PM
Phoenix Suns suffer worst defeat of season to Houston Rockets, lose Kevin Durant to injury (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:29 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: HOU 148, PHX 109
Booker: 28 Pts, 3 Ast, 12-17 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-11 FG
Plumlee: 9 Pts, 7 Reb
Jalen Green: 33 Pts, 9-17 FG, 11-13 FT
Suns suffer their largest loss of the season – 11:19 PM
Final: HOU 148, PHX 109
Booker: 28 Pts, 3 Ast, 12-17 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-11 FG
Plumlee: 9 Pts, 7 Reb
Jalen Green: 33 Pts, 9-17 FG, 11-13 FT
Suns suffer their largest loss of the season – 11:19 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns-Rockets live updates: Kevin Durant exits after injury, Houston crushing Phoenix (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:10 PM
Suns-Rockets live updates: Kevin Durant exits after injury, Houston crushing Phoenix (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:10 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Kevin Durant left the game after injuring his ankle on this play. pic.x.com/OUJ3YmZO7I – 11:07 PM
Kevin Durant left the game after injuring his ankle on this play. pic.x.com/OUJ3YmZO7I – 11:07 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
OFFICIAL: Suns superstar Kevin Durant out remainder of tonight’s game game against Houston with a left ankle sprain. #Suns – 11:02 PM
OFFICIAL: Suns superstar Kevin Durant out remainder of tonight’s game game against Houston with a left ankle sprain. #Suns – 11:02 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns say Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) will not return – 11:01 PM
Suns say Kevin Durant (left ankle sprain) will not return – 11:01 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant injures left ankle, leaves game with Suns down big to Rockets (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 10:57 PM
Kevin Durant injures left ankle, leaves game with Suns down big to Rockets (w/video) #Suns #Rockets azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 10:57 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: HOU 112, PHX 73
Booker: 28 Pts, 3 Ast, 12-17 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-11 FG
Richards: 6 Pts, 5 Reb
Jalen Green: 33 Pts, 9-17 FG, 11-13 FT – 10:52 PM
End of 3Q: HOU 112, PHX 73
Booker: 28 Pts, 3 Ast, 12-17 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 7 Reb, 5-11 FG
Richards: 6 Pts, 5 Reb
Jalen Green: 33 Pts, 9-17 FG, 11-13 FT – 10:52 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Suns down 34, Kevin Durant rolls his ankle, and Phoenix is about to fall 1.5 games out of a play-IN spot pic.x.com/JRrQfGzSvs – 10:40 PM
Suns down 34, Kevin Durant rolls his ankle, and Phoenix is about to fall 1.5 games out of a play-IN spot pic.x.com/JRrQfGzSvs – 10:40 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
KD twisted his ankle, and because he didn’t re-enter to take his FT’s, the Rockets get to select who takes them… and it means KD is done for the night – 10:39 PM
KD twisted his ankle, and because he didn’t re-enter to take his FT’s, the Rockets get to select who takes them… and it means KD is done for the night – 10:39 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant limping to bench as he went down and grabbed at his left ankle.
Stepped on Jabari Smith Jr. foot making a move to the basket. Just saw replay. Bad look.
He’s since left the court and went to the locker room. Suns down 92-57 with 6:57 left in the 3rd. #Suns – 10:37 PM
Durant limping to bench as he went down and grabbed at his left ankle.
Stepped on Jabari Smith Jr. foot making a move to the basket. Just saw replay. Bad look.
He’s since left the court and went to the locker room. Suns down 92-57 with 6:57 left in the 3rd. #Suns – 10:37 PM
Adam Wexler @AdamJWexler
Kevin Durant stepped on Jabari Smith Jr’s foot & rolled his left ankle badly. He’s now walking very gingerly back to the Suns locker room, 6:57 left in 3rdQ, Houston up 92-57. #Suns #Rockets – 10:36 PM
Kevin Durant stepped on Jabari Smith Jr’s foot & rolled his left ankle badly. He’s now walking very gingerly back to the Suns locker room, 6:57 left in 3rdQ, Houston up 92-57. #Suns #Rockets – 10:36 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Durant steps on a foot as he drives the ball and goes down in pain holding his left ankle. Had a heavy limp with assistance going back to the locker room. – 10:35 PM
Durant steps on a foot as he drives the ball and goes down in pain holding his left ankle. Had a heavy limp with assistance going back to the locker room. – 10:35 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant came up hobbled after that last play. Couldn’t put much weight on his left leg as he limped to the bench. Looked like he rolled that left ankle, and now he went back to the locker room – 10:35 PM
Kevin Durant came up hobbled after that last play. Couldn’t put much weight on his left leg as he limped to the bench. Looked like he rolled that left ankle, and now he went back to the locker room – 10:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant having an interaction with a fan that reached a point where security said something to the fan sitting basically courtside (third row)
Suns down 92-57 with under seven minutes left in the 3rd quarter. #Suns #Rockets – 10:34 PM
Durant having an interaction with a fan that reached a point where security said something to the fan sitting basically courtside (third row)
Suns down 92-57 with under seven minutes left in the 3rd quarter. #Suns #Rockets – 10:34 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: HOU 78, PHX 49
Booker: 20 Pts, 2 Ast, 9-11 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 5-10 FG
Ighodaro: 4 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast
Thompson: 14 Pts, 7 Ast, 7 Reb, 7-10 FG
Suns fans started booing before the end of the half – 10:08 PM
Halftime: HOU 78, PHX 49
Booker: 20 Pts, 2 Ast, 9-11 FG
Durant: 11 Pts, 5 Reb, 5-10 FG
Ighodaro: 4 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast
Thompson: 14 Pts, 7 Ast, 7 Reb, 7-10 FG
Suns fans started booing before the end of the half – 10:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Referee Justin Van Duyne talking with Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
Then Bill Kennedy breaks down techs.
One on Kevin Durant.
One on Nick Richards.
“And two technical fouls on.”
Checks to make sure.
“(Dillon) Brooks and he has been ejected.” #Suns #Rockets pic.x.com/BIdAc57aJM – 10:05 PM
Referee Justin Van Duyne talking with Rockets coach Ime Udoka.
Then Bill Kennedy breaks down techs.
One on Kevin Durant.
One on Nick Richards.
“And two technical fouls on.”
Checks to make sure.
“(Dillon) Brooks and he has been ejected.” #Suns #Rockets pic.x.com/BIdAc57aJM – 10:05 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Another 1st place for the Rockets after that Dillon Brooks ejection. pic.x.com/u4yo1nU3QU – 9:59 PM
Another 1st place for the Rockets after that Dillon Brooks ejection. pic.x.com/u4yo1nU3QU – 9:59 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
After the review, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards both get technical fouls, while Dillon Brooks gets two and the ejection – 9:59 PM
After the review, Kevin Durant and Nick Richards both get technical fouls, while Dillon Brooks gets two and the ejection – 9:59 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Dillon Brooks and Kevin Durant get locked up.
Get in each other’s face. Durant pushes him away.
Then Brooks and Nick Richards get into it.
Then comes security to break it up. Then Brooks has words with referee Justin Van Duyne.
Brooks ejection.
Suns down 55-38 with 4:48 – 9:57 PM
Dillon Brooks and Kevin Durant get locked up.
Get in each other’s face. Durant pushes him away.
Then Brooks and Nick Richards get into it.
Then comes security to break it up. Then Brooks has words with referee Justin Van Duyne.
Brooks ejection.
Suns down 55-38 with 4:48 – 9:57 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Dillon Brooks and Kevin Durant got tangled up and had some words. KD gives him a little shove off of him. Nick Richards steps in and Brooks swipes his hands off him. Brooks keeps talking and gets ejected. Someone from the Rockets holds Brooks back as he had words for the official – 9:56 PM
Dillon Brooks and Kevin Durant got tangled up and had some words. KD gives him a little shove off of him. Nick Richards steps in and Brooks swipes his hands off him. Brooks keeps talking and gets ejected. Someone from the Rockets holds Brooks back as he had words for the official – 9:56 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Dillon Brooks has been ejected. Refs not playing around after what happened in Minnesota. – 9:55 PM
Dillon Brooks has been ejected. Refs not playing around after what happened in Minnesota. – 9:55 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
It will never stop being funny to me that so much of the Suns conversation has revolved around pitting the offensive roles of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant against each other, all while this team remains a bottom-5 defense. Rockets have 55 points with 5 minutes left in the 2Q – 9:52 PM
It will never stop being funny to me that so much of the Suns conversation has revolved around pitting the offensive roles of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant against each other, all while this team remains a bottom-5 defense. Rockets have 55 points with 5 minutes left in the 2Q – 9:52 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant in for O’Neale with 5:47 left in 2nd quarter.
Suns down 53-38. Booker with 16 points. #Suns – 9:49 PM
Durant in for O’Neale with 5:47 left in 2nd quarter.
Suns down 53-38. Booker with 16 points. #Suns – 9:49 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: HOU 32, PHX 24
Booker: 7 Pts, 3-4 FG
Durant: 6 Pts, 4 Reb, 3-6 FG
Ighodaro: 4 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast
Thompson: 8 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 4-7 FG
Rockets close 1Q on 11-0 run (11-3 since Book checked out) – 9:33 PM
End of 1Q: HOU 32, PHX 24
Booker: 7 Pts, 3-4 FG
Durant: 6 Pts, 4 Reb, 3-6 FG
Ighodaro: 4 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast
Thompson: 8 Pts, 5 Reb, 3 Ast, 4-7 FG
Rockets close 1Q on 11-0 run (11-3 since Book checked out) – 9:33 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns down 21-20 as Kevin Durant has 6 after jumper.
Booker with seven in 1st half after not scoring in first half Friday at Minnesota. #Suns #Rockets – 9:23 PM
Suns down 21-20 as Kevin Durant has 6 after jumper.
Booker with seven in 1st half after not scoring in first half Friday at Minnesota. #Suns #Rockets – 9:23 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Amen Thompson spins right past Kevin Durant for the dunk pic.x.com/gD57wO9Q2j – 9:15 PM
Amen Thompson spins right past Kevin Durant for the dunk pic.x.com/gD57wO9Q2j – 9:15 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Chao Meng of ESPN China asked me if is this the last year of the Big 3 in Phoenix with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
What do you think? #Suns pic.x.com/E7QhHLo5Ri – 9:11 PM
Chao Meng of ESPN China asked me if is this the last year of the Big 3 in Phoenix with Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
What do you think? #Suns pic.x.com/E7QhHLo5Ri – 9:11 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
BIG GAME: Rockets take on KD, Booker and the Suns in Phoenix in a game that has both playoff seeding and draft implications. We’re streaming live now: playback.tv/clutchfans?s=c… – 9:05 PM
BIG GAME: Rockets take on KD, Booker and the Suns in Phoenix in a game that has both playoff seeding and draft implications. We’re streaming live now: playback.tv/clutchfans?s=c… – 9:05 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I’ve been around or seen.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Kevin Durant. Was an assistant in Brooklyn when Durant was there.
“With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high pic.x.com/VnBeBoNesW – 8:43 PM
“His day-to-day approach is unlike anybody I’ve been around or seen.”
Rockets coach Ime Udoka on Kevin Durant. Was an assistant in Brooklyn when Durant was there.
“With all the accolades he still has a chip, is grumpy as hell every other day, but he holds himself to a high pic.x.com/VnBeBoNesW – 8:43 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
Rockets starting lineup:
G – Fred VanVleet
G – Jalen Green
F – Dillon Brooks
F – Amen Thompson
C – Alperen Şengün
Suns:
G – Devin Booker
G – Collin Gillespie
F – Ryan Dunn
F – Kevin Durant
C – Nick Richards – 8:39 PM
Rockets starting lineup:
G – Fred VanVleet
G – Jalen Green
F – Dillon Brooks
F – Amen Thompson
C – Alperen Şengün
Suns:
G – Devin Booker
G – Collin Gillespie
F – Ryan Dunn
F – Kevin Durant
C – Nick Richards – 8:39 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup vs. Rockets
Collin Gillespie
Devin Booker
Ryan Dunn
Kevin Durant
Nick Richards #Suns – 8:37 PM
Suns starting lineup vs. Rockets
Collin Gillespie
Devin Booker
Ryan Dunn
Kevin Durant
Nick Richards #Suns – 8:37 PM
More on this storyline
One surprise team that pursued Durant hard at the trade deadline with other teams making calls to Phoenix was the Atlanta Hawks, sources said. The Hawks, who were also in trade discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans on a deal centered around Brandon Ingram before he was traded to the Toronto Raptors, have been searching for another star to play alongside Trae Young. -via Clutch Points / March 30, 2025
Gerald Bourguet: Final: MIN 124, PHX 109 Durant: 23 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Blk, 7-19 FG Gillespie: 22 Pts, 10 Ast, 5 Reb, 9-11 FG O’Neale: 21 Pts, 7-12 3P Booker: 10 Pts, 6 Ast, 4-14 FG, 0-6 3P Randle: 25-8-6, 9-15 FG -via Twitter @GeraldBourguet / March 28, 2025
Duane Rankin: I interviewed Kevin Durant and Devin Booker about Commissioner Adam Silver saying NBA is “back to the drawing board” on All-Star format. “I trust Adam, he’s pushed this league forward, but shit doesn’t work all the time, but I can appreciate trying to be innovative and creative.” Durant. -via x.com / March 28, 2025
It was far from perfect, but the Rockets completed an undefeated homestand with a 144-137 win over the 76ers in overtime on Monday at Toyota Center, extending their win streak to a season-best seven games. Smith and Jalen Green each scored 30 points and shot 5-of-7 on 3s for the Rockets. Dillon Brooks had 25 points. Tari Eason, who led all scorers with 18 first-half points, finished with 21 points and eight rebounds after he fouled out with four minutes left in regulation. -via Houston Chronicle / March 17, 2025
Based on a search of Spotrac’s fines and suspensions database, there were eight flopping fines handed out in the first week of 2023-24 and 22 in the first half of the season, but only four after Feb. 1. (Only one player was fined more than once for this last season, and it wasn’t Dort or Dončić or Smart or Dillon Brooks. It was … Collin Sexton?) However, in 2024-25, the fine has diminished to nearly nothing. We’ve only had five the entire season, with only the most egregious dives warranting action from Joe Dumars’ office. (Those fines are made in consultation with the officiating side, by the way.) -via New York Times / March 11, 2025
“I’m feeling great,” Brooks said. “I feel like we’re playing great, playing together. Figuring out our little nicks and bumps. With a game like this, sharing the basketball, you see what it does. It makes the game a lot easier.” “Guys were moving well, sharing the ball,” head coach Ime Udoka said. “There were a few forced shots here and there, but we really moved it well from the start. Like I’ve said all year, I think we’re at our best when it’s balanced. Scoring from the post, scoring from the pick and roll, getting out in transition in offense. I think that’s kind of what overwhelmed them, the balanced scoring.” -via Houston Chronicle / March 9, 2025