The Phoenix Suns, with a 33-24 record, faced off against the Houston Rockets, standing at 25-31. In a closely contested match at the Toyota Center in Houston, the final scoreboard read 114-110 in favor of the home team.

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 23, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Suns showed resilience throughout the game, starting strong with a first-quarter lead of 28 points to Houston's 20. However, momentum shifted as the Rockets surged ahead with an impressive second quarter tallying up to 37 points. The third quarter saw both teams locked in a tight battle, each adding another 24 points to their totals. Despite a valiant effort and outscoring their opponents by ten points in fast breaks and leading for over twenty-one minutes of game time, it was not enough for Phoenix.

Phoenix's performance was marked by notable statistics: they amassed an impressive total of sixty-three rebounds and showcased their defensive skills with eight blocks and ten steals. Their offensive efforts were led by contributions across the board resulting in forty-eight points scored from within the paint and eighteen from second-chance opportunities.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 23: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns shoots a free throw against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on February 23, 2024 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The bench played a crucial role contributing twenty-eight points while maintaining efficiency on both ends of the court. The team shot forty percent overall from field goals but struggled beyond the arc hitting only twenty-three percent from three-point range despite attempting thirty-one shots.

On individual performances, Phoenix players drew fouls effectively leading to thirty-five free throw attempts and capitalizing on seventy-seven percent of those opportunities. They also managed to keep turnovers low with just ten over four quarters while maintaining an assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.3.

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 23: Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns and Dillon Brooks #9 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Houston Rockets on February 23, 2024 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Rockets countered effectively throughout this matchup as well; they out-rebounded Phoenix slightly with sixty-seven total rebounds and capitalized on their fast break chances scoring nineteen points off such plays compared to Phoenix's ten. Their bench outscored that of Phoenix’s by eight points which proved critical down the stretch.

Houston also had two players foul out but still managed to edge past Phoenix thanks largely due to converting fifteen three-pointers at thirty-three percent accuracy rate which complemented their overall field goal percentage matching that of Phoenix’s at forty percent.

Looking ahead for fans of The Suns: they will be hosting Los Angeles Lakers next at Footprint Center located in sunny Arizona on February 25th at 12:30 PM local time (Mountain Standard Time). This upcoming contest can be caught live on ABC network for those looking forward to watching how The Suns bounce back after this narrow defeat.

Phoenix Suns - NBA - Recap

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