PHOENIX — Patrick Beverley knew much more would be expected of him with his Houston Rockets missing James Harden on Sunday night.
That motivated the veteran guard to play well, which Beverley did in the Rockets' 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns.
Beverley scored a career-high 26 points and the Rockets sent the Suns to their 12th straight loss without Harden in the lineup. Harden was ruled out with acute viral syndrome, the team announced before the game. He had not missed a game all season and entered Sunday tied for second in the league in scoring at 29.