UPDATE: The Houston Rockets are reeling after a 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons on October 27, 2023, dropping their season record to 0-2. Star forward Kevin Durant expressed a mix of frustration and optimism regarding his team’s performance, stating that players and coaches are “pissed off.”
Durant, who scored an impressive 37 points on 9-of-18 shooting and went 16 of 18 from the free-throw line, believes this early-season anger could fuel a turnaround. “We want a better outcome, and it’s early, too,” Durant remarked. “So for us to feel that way, I like that kind of energy.”
The Rockets, who entered the season with championship aspirations and were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference last year, faced a nail-biting finish yet again, reminiscent of their 125-124 double-overtime loss to the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite the close scores, players refuse to accept moral victories.
“Just feel like we haven’t played a good game yet,” said guard Amen Thompson, emphasizing the team’s desire for higher standards. “We have championship-level expectations. Bad games happen, but we are still trying to win those.”
In the closing moments, with the Rockets down by just two points, Durant orchestrated a critical play. He passed to Alperen Şengun, whose shot was blocked, allowing Detroit’s Cade Cunningham to seal the victory with two free throws.
Durant admitted he’s still adjusting to balancing aggressive scoring with team dynamics. “I got aggressive and made them double me, and I think we got some good looks,” he reflected on his fourth-quarter performance, where he scored 14 points.
With a newly signed two-year, $90 million contract extension, Durant is showing flashes of brilliance, averaging 30 points per game at a 53% shooting clip, including 43% from beyond the arc.
The Rockets must regroup quickly as they face mounting pressure to turn their season around. Fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see if the team’s frustration can catalyze a much-needed victory in the coming games.
