UPDATE: Kevin Durant has taken full responsibility for the Houston Rockets’ crushing 125-124 double overtime loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 24, 2023. As the Rockets struggled in their season opener, Durant’s critical mistakes proved costly.
After the game, Durant stated, “I missed the free throws, and I fouled somebody at the end. I think those two plays are the reason we lost.” The Rockets were leading 124-123 with just 11 seconds left in the second overtime when Durant fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who capitalized at the free-throw line.
This match was especially significant as the Thunder celebrated their NBA championship with a ring ceremony, adding emotional weight to the contest. Despite scoring 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, Durant fouled out with just 2.3 seconds remaining, leaving the Rockets scrambling for a win.
A pivotal moment occurred with 9.5 seconds left in regulation when Durant missed a crucial free throw that could have sealed the game for Houston. The Thunder capitalized on this, with Gilgeous-Alexander hitting a clutch shot to send the game into overtime.
“I think definitely he called timeout about three times — verbally and physically with his hands,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, referring to a missed call by the referees during the game.
Durant’s night was marred by a controversial moment when he signaled for a timeout that Houston did not possess, leading to boos from the crowd of 18,203 fans. Crew chief Zach Zarba confirmed that referees did not call a technical foul because they did not see Durant signal for a timeout.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Durant showcased his potential within the Rockets’ offense. He successfully made 5 of 6 two-point jumpers, a feat not achieved by any player on the Rockets last season. “He’s making our jobs easy,” teammate Alperen Sengun said, emphasizing the importance of Durant’s presence on the court.
Durant’s debut was overshadowed by standout performances from Sengun, who scored a game-high 39 points, along with 11 rebounds and 7 assists. “We’re gonna need that from him as much as we can,” Durant said, highlighting Sengun’s ability to create space on the floor.
The Rockets’ starting unit was notably tall, averaging 82.2 inches, marking the tallest lineup since 1970-71. Coach Ime Udoka noted that Durant played as a guard for the first time since 2009, a strategic shift aimed at optimizing the team’s capabilities.
Looking ahead, Durant emphasized the importance of teamwork. “We make plays as a team. I’m not expected to make every big shot in every close game,” he said. With the Rockets set to refine their strategy and build on their performance, fans are eager to see how Durant and the team will bounce back in their next matchup.
This dramatic opener has left fans buzzing, and the Rockets will need to regroup quickly to avoid repeating their mistakes as the NBA season unfolds.