Durant admits game-winner over Suns meant more because he was 'kicked out' after hitting a dramatic, last-second three-pointer to seal a 100-97 victory for the Houston Rockets over his former team.

The 15-time All-Star, who scored 26 points, stated plainly that the shot carried extra weight due to the bitter nature of his offseason exit from Phoenix, framing it not as a mutual departure but as an unceremonious ejection.

Why Durant Admits Game-Winner Over Suns Meant More Because He Was 'Kicked Out'

Explaining why Durant admits game-winner over Suns meant more because he was 'kicked out', the 37-year-old forward was candid.

A place that I didn’t want to leave," Durant said. My first time being kicked out of a place.

 He described feeling "scapegoated" for the Suns' playoff failures during his two-and-a-half-season tenure, adding, It feels good to play against a team that booted you out of the building... But that’s just the business.

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 His comments reveal a lingering hurt from an exit that followed the team's first-round playoff loss and subsequent failure to make the postseason, struggles for which he believes he was unfairly blamed.

The Shot and the Lingering Impact of Durant's Admission

The moment that prompted Durant to admit a game-winner over the Suns meant more because he was 'kicked out' came with the game tied and 1.1 seconds on the clock.

Durant sank a 27-foot jumper over tight defense, completing a Rockets rally and delivering a symbolic victory. Despite the charged emotions, he expressed love for his former teammates but emphasized a competitor's desire to prove he "still got some juice in the tank.

 The victory marks a personal vindication for Durant, who was traded to Houston this past summer for Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green in a move that reset both franchises.

He added that while he'll remember the night, he aims to move on quickly, stating, "By the time I get home tonight, I probably won’t even remember it," a sentiment underscoring the professional ruthlessness that defines his legendary career.

 

Source Information

This report is based on Kevin Durant's post-game press conference and game coverage from ESPN.
Read more: ESPN: Durant's game-winner beats Suns