Durant Takes Responsibility After Rockets’ Narrow Loss to Thunder
Kevin Durant expressed personal accountability following the Houston Rockets’ narrow defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which ended 125-124 in double overtime on March 5, 2024. The game, held at the Paycom Center, marked a challenging debut for Durant with his new team, who are the defending champions.
Durant, who scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, reflected on two pivotal moments that he believes contributed to the loss. “I missed the free throws, and I fouled somebody at the end,” he stated. He specifically referred to a foul on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander that allowed the Thunder to secure victory. With the Rockets leading 124-123 and just 11 seconds left in the second overtime, Durant’s foul sent Gilgeous-Alexander to the free-throw line, where he successfully converted the winning shots.
In the closing moments of regulation, Durant also missed a crucial free throw that could have given the Rockets a more comfortable lead. He did manage to sink the second free throw, bringing the score to 103-102, but Gilgeous-Alexander’s clutch jumper with 2.6 seconds remaining sent the game into overtime.
Controversial Moments and Team Development
Durant’s night was punctuated by additional mishaps. He attempted to call a timeout with just 2.2 seconds left in the first overtime but was unable to do so due to Houston not having any timeouts remaining. This mistake prompted a chorus of boos from the crowd of 18,203. Referee crew chief Zach Zarba later clarified that officials did not penalize Durant for a technical foul because they did not witness him signaling for a timeout.
Despite the setbacks, the game showcased potential for the Rockets’ offense. Durant demonstrated his scoring ability, particularly in two-point jumpers, which he hit at an exceptional rate. According to GeniusIQ, Durant converted 5 of 6 two-point attempts, a notable improvement for a team that struggled in this area last season.
Alperen Sengun, who led the Rockets with a career-high 39 points, also made a significant impact, sinking five three-pointers and contributing 11 rebounds and 7 assists. Durant praised Sengun’s performance, noting the importance of his ability to create space and make plays. “We’re gonna need that from him as much as we can,” Durant remarked.
Looking Ahead
The Rockets fielded one of the tallest starting lineups in history, averaging 82.2 inches, a record since such stats began tracking in the 1970-71 season. Durant, starting at guard for the first time since 2009, joined a lineup that included Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., and Sengun, with Steven Adams at center.
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka acknowledged the team’s growing pains but expressed optimism about their future. Durant emphasized the collaborative nature of the game, stating, “I’m not expected to make every big shot in every close game. My presence out there can ease the tension for everybody.”
The Rockets will aim to learn from this experience as they continue to develop their chemistry and strategy moving forward, with Durant at the forefront of their efforts.
