Rockets All-Star Alperen Sengun was a late scratch ahead of facing the Suns due to an illness, with Steven Adams expected to start in his place.

Bet on the Rockets spread against the Suns in our picks, odds & expert predictions for Friday, December 5 as Dillon Brooks looks for revenge.

Jalen Green is also on an injury timeline due to a right hamstring strain. He reinjured it for the second time Nov. 8 against the Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood. The Suns announced Nov. 11 he’ll be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.

Friday's showdown in Houston between the Rockets and Suns could have had the spotlight on Dillon Brooks' return and Kevin Durant's first game against Phoenix

The Phoenix Suns dominated defensively, pushing Luka Doncic into his worst turnover outing of the NBA season against the Los Angeles Lakers.

The explosive guard missed the team’s first eight games before making his season debut Nov. 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers. He delivered a 29-point performance, hitting six 3s, the most in a Suns debut, in Phoenix’s 115-102 victory.

Some of it, the continued dominance of the Thunder and Nuggets, and the struggles of the Nets and Wizards, was to be expected. However, there are a few teams that have really stood out with surprising starts to the 2025-26 NBA season. Some for better reasons than others.

The Phoenix Suns lost their first matchup vs. Houston this season. They will face Kevin Durant for the first time since trading him to the Rockets.