UPDATE: Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant expressed optimism despite the team’s frustrating 0-2 start following a 115-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons on October 27, 2023. Durant noted that both players and coaches are “pissed off,” viewing this early-season reaction as a positive sign of their competitive spirit.
In his home opener, Durant delivered a standout performance, scoring 37 points on 9-of-18 shooting and making 16 of 18 free throws. However, the effort wasn’t enough to secure a victory, with Rockets legends Yao Ming and Hakeem Olajuwon watching from the sidelines.
The Rockets’ latest defeat mirrored their season opener, where they lost in a nail-biting double-overtime against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. This time, the game remained tight as it reached the final moments, with Houston trailing 113-111 in the closing seconds.
Durant, who recently signed a $90 million contract extension, acknowledged the need to find a balance between dominating the game and allowing teammates to contribute. “I got aggressive and made them double me,” he explained, despite no other Rockets player scoring more than three points in the fourth quarter.
Guard Amen Thompson voiced the team’s commitment to improvement, stating, “We can’t keep saying that all the time. We want to play great games. We have championship-level expectations.” With strong aspirations for the season, the Rockets entered with the fifth-best odds to win the NBA title at 14-1, according to ESPN BET.
As the Rockets look to rebound from their early setbacks, fans are eager to see how the team will channel their frustration into performance. The next game is crucial for Houston, which must harness this energy to secure their first win of the season.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Rockets’ journey as they aim to turn this rocky start around.
