OKLAHOMA CITY — On opening night, amidst the glitz of ring night, the Rockets fell in double overtime to the defending champions, 125-124. The loss to the Thunder hurt more because they had every chance to steal one on the road. Houston outrebounded Oklahoma City by 12 but couldn’t make it count when it mattered. For Kevin Durant, the night was personal. Booed in his return to Paycom Center, a win would have been the perfect response. Instead, an old problem followed him to Houston — the his passivity in critical moments.
Rockets Facing The Same Kevin Durant Challenge That Frustrated Suns Fans
A Tale of Two Halves
Durant opened the game with his usual elegance. In the first half, he scored 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting. His gravity gave the Rockets much-needed spacing, unlocking driving lanes for Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün.
Then, everything shifted. He scored just 9 points after halftime and didn’t take a single shot in the first overtime. His usage dipped to 20.6 percent in a game where Houston desperately needed more from him. This passivity isn’t new. Suns fans saw it too.
A Familiar Pattern
During his last two years with the Suns, Durant often floated through stretches of games. He parked in the corner while Devin Booker and Bradley Beal controlled the offense. Critics questioned whether it was age, strategy, or an unwillingness to seize the moment.
It didn’t help that his usage during that stretch was the lowest since his first year with Golden State. That version of Durant accepted a smaller role on a loaded roster. But in Houston, the Kevin Durant’s passivity has a different meaning. He isn’t surrounded by multiple high-usage stars. There’s space for him to dominate.
Rockets Need a More Assertive Durant
The Rockets acquired Durant to unlock their offense. They gave up Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks to get him. This isn’t a situation where he can blend in. Houston lacks a high-usage guard to defer to. If the Rockets want to stay afloat early in the season, Durant can’t wait for the game to come to him.
A more assertive Durant is the difference between competing in the West and being an actual title contender. We saw that in this game against OKC. Kevin Durant’s passivity is now Houston’s problem to solve.
The Rockets have invested heavily in this era. It starts with Durant imposing himself — not just floating on the perimeter.
Closing Thoughts
Durant is still elite. At 37, he can take over games in spurts. But for the Rockets, they need more than spurts. They need him to dictate pace, not react to it.
Kevin Durant’s passivity may have frustrated Suns fans. Now, it’s Houston’s turn to face it.
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