The NBA season opener between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder had everything: intensity and controversy. But what stole the headlines wasn’t a highlight play, it was a Kevin Durant timeout controversy that left both teams and fans stunned in the final moments of overtime.
Kevin Durant Timeout Controversy Extends Tense Game in Oklahoma
With 1.3 seconds remaining in the first overtime and the score tied at 115-115, Durant –apparently confused about the team’s remaining timeouts –motioned to stop the game. However, Houston had no timeouts left. Under NBA rules, that should have resulted in a technical foul, granting Oklahoma City a free throw and possession. Instead, the officials inexplicably let play continue, sending the game into a second overtime.
The decision changed everything. A furious Alperen Sengun could be seen trying to warn Durant, while Jabari Smith Jr. reacted in disbelief. The Thunder’s bench erupted in protest, but the referees held firm. What should have been a technical, and potentially a decisive moment for Oklahoma, became the spark that extended an already tense, emotionally charged contest.
The Rules
According to NBA Rulebook Section VI, Rule No. 5, if a player requests a timeout when the team has none remaining, the result is an automatic technical foul. The opposing team is awarded a free throw, and possession resumes from the point of interruption.
In this case, that didn’t happen. The officiating crew appeared to miss Durant’s gesture entirely, despite it being clear on broadcast replays. While rare, such oversights have occurred in the past; most notably in the infamous 1993 NCAA title game between Michigan and North Carolina, when Chris Webber’s similar mistake cost his team the championship.
Postgame, league officials declined to comment on the decision. Nonetheless, the sequence quickly went viral, with fans demanding accountability. Social media was flooded with clips showing Durant’s signal to the referees as Şengün yelled from near him.
Watch:
KD called a timeout with none left and the refs ignored it
pic.twitter.com/dPfhsWemA2
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) October 22, 2025
Ironically, the Rockets went on to lose the game 125-124, in large part due to a combination of missed free throws, 21 turnovers, and poor late-game execution.
Thunder Capitalize, Rockets Collapse
While the officiating gaffe drew attention, the Thunder’s execution was the true difference-maker. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a masterclass, scoring 35 points, including several clutch buckets down the stretch. Chet Holmgren was dominant early, finishing with 28 points before being ejected late in the overtime.
For Houston, Sengun was nothing short of spectacular. The Turkish center posted 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists, carrying the Rockets through long stretches of stagnant offense. His footwork and interior dominance kept Houston in the game even as the team struggled to maintain composure.
Durant, meanwhile, had an uneven night. He finished with 23 points and 9 rebounds, but was often left isolated and underused in key moments. His second overtime ended abruptly when he was ejected after the 6th foul, adding frustration to an already turbulent debut.
Rookie Reed Sheppard also endured a rough finish; his late defensive lapse allowed Oklahoma to convert the final possessions, sealing Houston’s narrow defeat. The Rockets’ 21 turnovers, compared to just 11 for OKC, told the story of a team still searching for cohesion.
Intense Start To Promising Season
Despite the heartbreak, the Rockets showed flashes of potential. Amen Thompson added 18 points before leaving with cramps, while Smith Jr. and Sengun continued to develop chemistry on both ends. Still, the team’s youth and inexperience were evident, particularly in the closing minutes.
For the Thunder, the victory reaffirmed their defensive identity. Their rotations, help coverage, and poise under pressure were exceptional. Oklahoma forced Houston into rushed decisions, contested nearly every shot, and closed out possessions with discipline.
As for Durant, the timeout controversy will likely be the most discussed moment of the young season: a surreal lapse by a future Hall of Famer in his first official game with a new franchise. Whether it’s viewed as a simple misunderstanding or an officiating blunder that changed the outcome, it added yet another dramatic chapter to his storied career.
For Houston, the lesson is clear: talent alone isn’t enough. Execution, discipline, and focus, particularly in clutch situations, are what separate contenders from cautionary tales. On a night defined by tension and confusion, the Rockets learned that the hard way.
© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
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