The Houston Rockets’ first week of the 2025-26 NBA season has been anything but smooth. After an offseason filled with optimism, the arrival of Kevin Durant was expected to elevate the young team from promise to contention. Yet, through the first two games, it’s clear that finding the right offensive balance remains a work in progress.
A stronger focus on Durant might be the key to unlocking their true potential.
Prioritizing Kevin Durant’s Offense Could Be Key To Rockets’ Success
Houston’s offense has sputtered out of the gate. After committing 25 turnovers in a season-opening loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Rockets followed with a disappointing 115–111 defeat to the Detroit Pistons in their home debut. Despite Durant’s 37-point performance, the team shot just 38.6% from the field, struggling to find spacing and rhythm throughout.
Part of the issue lies in Houston’s unusual size. The Rockets’ starting lineup, nicknamed the “skyline” for its length and height, is statistically the tallest in over five decades of NBA recordkeeping. While the length helps defensively, it has created challenges on the offensive end, particularly when it comes to spacing the floor for Durant to operate effectively in the midrange.
During Friday’s loss to Detroit, Rocket head coach Ime Udoka experimented by starting Josh Okogie in the second half and moving Amen Thompson (the team’s smallest starter at 6’6”) to the bench. The adjustment provided better flow, especially when Alperen Sengun anchored the offense as the lone big man in the third quarter.
Still, the Rockets’ half-court execution remains inconsistent. “It’s always great to have a versatile team,” Durant would say post-game. “But knowing when to use those lineups is the hardest part for a coach. We’ll be patient and keep growing. Our offense will get better.”
Durant’s calm confidence echoes the understanding that this project is still evolving. Yet, his efficiency underscores why Houston must orient more possessions around him: in just two games, he’s averaging 30 points per game on 53% shooting, even amid limited space.
Udoka’s Challenge: Balancing Pace and Precision
For Udoka, the early offensive stagnation isn’t surprising. Integrating a high-usage superstar into a developing core requires adjustments not only in sets but in tempo. “I think we’re playing too upright,” Udoka explained. “That’s the formula this year: teams will try to go under and crowd the paint. We need to find rhythm, whether it’s in pick-and-rolls or off-ball actions. We haven’t been great at that yet.”
Udoka’s emphasis on speed and midcourt aggression is especially relevant for a roster featuring elite athletes like Thompson. However, when the Rockets slow down and shift into half-court mode, their identity remains undefined. Durant’s ability to create offense against set defenses should become the anchor of those possessions.
That means optimizing floor spacing through shooters like Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr., while allowing Sengun to function as a high-post facilitator rather than a low-block clogger. When Durant is surrounded by proper outlets, the offense flows naturally; when the spacing collapses, turnovers follow.
Kevin Durant Offensive Focus: Patience, Pressure, and Possibility
Houston’s next challenge comes as they host the Brooklyn Nets, just a day after the Nets’ own road loss to San Antonio. The quick turnaround offers another test of adaptability for Udoka’s group, and a chance for Durant to set the tone against one of his former teams.
It’s still early, but the Rockets’ blueprint for success is becoming clear: everything must start with Durant. His ability to manipulate defenses, attract doubles, and open space for teammates remains unparalleled. But for that to work, Houston must commit fully to an identity built around his offensive gravity.
In the words of Durant himself, “We’ll keep figuring things out.” For the Rockets, figuring it out likely means leaning harder into what they already have, one of the greatest scorers in basketball history, ready to carry a team that’s still learning how to win.
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