UPDATE: The Houston Rockets are facing serious challenges at the start of the NBA season, falling to 0-2 after a 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons on October 27, 2023. Star forward Kevin Durant expressed optimism despite the disappointing start, saying the team’s frustration is a sign of their competitive spirit.
Durant described the emotions in the locker room as “pissed off,” emphasizing that both players and coaches are eager for better outcomes early in the season. “We want a better outcome, and it’s early, too. So for us to feel that way I like that kind of energy,” Durant stated after the game.
In his Houston home opener, Durant showcased his talent by scoring 37 points on 9-of-18 shooting, including an impressive 16-of-18 from the free-throw line. However, even with Rockets legends Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon courtside, his efforts were not enough to secure a victory for the new-look Rockets.
Like their previous game, a nail-biting 125-124 double-overtime loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the match against the Pistons was closely contested. But players are unwilling to accept moral victories, particularly with high expectations following last season’s performance where the Rockets were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
“Just feel like we haven’t played a good game yet,” said guard Amen Thompson. “We have championship-level expectations. So just trying to play our best game every game.”
With the game on the line in the final moments, Durant attempted to lead a comeback. With less than 30 seconds remaining and the Rockets trailing 113-111, Durant’s pass to teammate Alperen Şengün was blocked, sealing the defeat after Detroit’s Cade Cunningham hit two free throws to finalize the score.
Durant acknowledged his ongoing adjustment to balancing aggressiveness with team play, noting that he scored 14 points in the fourth quarter alone while no other teammate exceeded three points during that period. “It’s a balance I felt like when I came back in that fourth quarter,” he remarked.
Following a two-year, $90 million contract extension signed just days before, Durant’s performance is under close scrutiny. He is currently averaging 30 points per game, shooting 53% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc. As the Rockets seek their first win, the pressure mounts for Durant and the team to find their rhythm quickly.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for the Rockets’ next matchup as they aim to turn around their early-season struggles and meet the high expectations set for them.
