Kevin Durant Takes Blame After Rockets’ Heartbreaking 2OT Loss

UPDATE: Kevin Durant has taken responsibility for a crushing loss in his Houston Rockets debut, as the team fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 125-124, in a thrilling double overtime game at Paycom Center on October 24, 2023.

In a moment of raw honesty, Durant stated, “I missed the free throws, and I fouled somebody at the end. I think those two plays are the reason we lost.” This admission comes after a night when the Thunder celebrated their championship with a ring ceremony, making the defeat sting even more.

Durant, who scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting, fouled out with just 2.3 seconds remaining in the game. His crucial mistakes included a foul on Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, which allowed him to hit the winning free throws, sealing the Rockets’ fate.

“Fouled Shai, put them up one,” Durant lamented. “I’ve got to stay down, be more disciplined with those opportunities to get a stop to seal the game.”

The Rockets were on the brink of victory when they led 124-123 in the closing moments of the second overtime. However, a missed free throw by Durant during regulation, when Houston was ahead 103-102, allowed the Thunder to tie the game and force overtime.

Compounding the drama, Durant attempted to call a timeout late in the first overtime when Houston had none, drawing boos from a crowd of 18,203. Referees confirmed that they did not penalize Durant for the timeout signal as none of the officials witnessed it, leaving fans and players bewildered.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commented on the incident, saying, “I think definitely he called timeout about three times… but that’s life. You make mistakes in life, and you move on.”

Despite the loss, Durant showcased flashes of brilliance, particularly in the closing seconds. He shot a remarkable 5 of 6 on two-point jumpers, indicating his potential to elevate Houston’s offense as the season progresses. Houston’s starting lineup boasts an average height of 82.2 inches, the tallest in an opener since 1970-71.

Rockets’ teammate Alperen Sengun shone brightly with a career-high 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Durant praised Sengun, stating, “We’re gonna need that from him as much as we can. He shot it with confidence, and we’re gonna need that going forward.”

The Rockets are looking to bounce back quickly as they face challenges in the upcoming season. Durant emphasized the importance of teamwork: “I’m not expected to make every big shot in every close game. My presence out there can ease the tension for everybody.”

As the Rockets regroup and analyze their performance, fans are eager to see how the team will adapt and improve after this heartbreaking opener. The urgency to capitalize on Durant’s talents is now more pressing than ever.

This game marks just the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying season for the Houston Rockets as they look to bounce back after a tough debut for their star player.