Durant and Herro exchanged words throughout the course of the first half. The first quarter saw the two bicker as the officiating crew had to separate them before they escalated things further. They continued to trade barbs with one another for the remainder of the game.

The opposing stars eventually shared a postgame hug, moving on from their intense interactions. Durant reflected on those moments after the game. The veteran star described it as them needing a jolt of energy to get themselves going in the contest.

“I think we both just needed a jolt of energy to start the game,” Durant said via reporter Brady Hawk. “You seen it. We laughed and joked right after that. I got respect for Tyler, he has respect for me… Those words are just words.”

I asked Kevin Durant about the back and forth with Tyler Herro tonight:

“I think we both just needed a jolt of energy to start the game.”

“You seen it. We laughed and joked right after that. I got respect for Tyler, he has respect for me.”

“Those words are just words.” pic.twitter.com/1ueDWzD4Ke

— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) February 28, 2026

How Kevin Durant and the Rockets played against the Heat

That’s the art of the competitive spirit. No matter how intense the interactions Kevin Durant and Tyler Herro had with each other, they continued to maintain respect for one another. However, Herro had the laugh, helping the Heat take down the Rockets 115-105 at home.

Five players scored in double-digits for Houston in the loss, including Durant. He finished with a stat line of 32 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two blocks. He shot 12-of-20 from the field, including 2-of-8 from beyond the arc, and 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Amen Thompson came next with 20 points and 11 rebounds, Reed Sheppard had 14 points and five assists, Alperen Sengun put up 13 points and six rebounds, while Tari Eason provided 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Houston fell to a 37-22 record on the season, holding the third spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves by 0.5 games while trailing the San Antonio Spurs by six games and the Oklahoma City Thunder by eight games.

The Rockets will look to bounce back in their next matchup, remaining on the road. They face the Washington Wizards as tip-off will take place on March 2 at 7 p.m. ET.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant still has ‘respect’ for Tyler Herro after back-and-forth banter appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Post-game, Durant was seen handing out his signed jersey to none other than Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was among the thousands of attendees at the matchup. The two were seen talking and dapping up after the game, with Durant taking his time to sign the jersey that he wore, per a post on X by ClutchPoints. Higgins returned the favor with his own signed Bengals jersey with his number 5 on the back.

Kevin Durant and Bengals WR Tee Higgins do a jersey swap after the Rockets-Heat game

(via @NBAonPrime)
pic.twitter.com/DucYB6rvy4

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026

Regardless, the win snapped a two-game skid for Miami, taking them to 32-29 for the season and up to 8th in the Eastern Conference. Bam Adebayo was the highlight of the game, returning with a team-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. Adebayo shot an efficient 9-of-17 from the field, stretched the floor by hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, and finished with a team-best +16 plus/minus rating.

Rookie big man Kel’el Ware delivered a double-double with 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds off the bench. Pelle Larsson erupted for 20 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, while Tyler Herro added 18 on 8-of-12 shooting.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. chipped in 14 points as the Heat shot 50% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc compared to the Rockets’ 43.2% from the field and a poor 25% from the three-point zone.
Despite the loss, Kevin Durant was arguably the best player on the court.

Alongside the 32 points and eight assists, KD also had six rebounds while shooting 12-of-20 from the floor and a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line. The Rockets suffered due to their poor shooting the entire night and never threatened to take control in the final quarter.

They will now take on the Washington Wizards hoping to return to winning ways. The Heat will host the Brooklyn Nets next.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant, Tee Higgins have jersey swap after Houston-Heat clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Durant recorded his 30th point late in the fourth quarter by scoring on a fast break layup. That bucket made it the 432nd time in his career that he has scored at least 30 points in a game. The 37-year-old forward bumps Bryant out of the top five all-time in most 30-point games in a career.

MORE HISTORY FOR KD!

With this bucket, Kevin Durant has passed Kobe Bryant for 5th all-time in 30-point games with 432

pic.twitter.com/VQCngrSYt3

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026

Kevin Durant finished the game against the Heat with 32 points, five rebounds, eight assists, and two blocks. He shot 60.0% from the floor and 25.0% from beyond the three-point line. He led the Rockets in points, as Amen Thompson finished with the second most with 20.

The 18-year veteran has been a scoring machine throughout his entire career. He’s so efficient, even this late in his career, that Kendrick Perkins called Kevin Durant “the Beyoncé of the offensive end.” Essentially claiming that Durant’s abilities as a scorer is equivelent to Beyoncé winning the Grammy Award 35 times for her musical talent.

Durant has been as efficient as ever in Houston, serving as one of the go-to scoring options for the club. He entered Saturday’s game against the Heat, averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while owning a 50.8% field goal percentage and shooting 40.2% from beyond the arc.

Kevin Durant will have another opportunity to add to his 30-point game feat on Monday, March 2. The Rockets are scheduled to face off against a struggling Washington Wizards team. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST that day.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes history as he surpasses Kobe Bryant in stunning scoring stat appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sure, the Heat are in the middle of the Eastern Conference’s pack, slotted in the eighth seed with a 31-29 record, but Erik Spoelstra teams are always a fiesty out, especially at home, where they hold a 17-11 record so far in 2025-26. With the Rockets fighting tooth and nail to keep their third seed in a very tightly contested Western Conference, securing a win in Miami felt crucial as the season winds down.

And unsurprisingly, when the rubber hit the hardwood, that consciousness boiled over into technical foul territory, with Tyler Herro and Durant both getting T’d up after having to be separated following a war of words on the court.

Tyler Herro and Kevin Durant exchanging more words, had to be held back. Techs for both. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/mWEFk3xDAQ

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 28, 2026

While players never want to draw technical fouls, especially during a timeout, his interaction with Herro served as nothing more than a minor roadblock on the way to KD doing KD things, with the future Hall of Famer leading all scorers with 14 points in just 19 minutes while holding the best plus-minus of any player in the game at +17. Durant’s Rockets outscored the Heat 24-19 in the second quarter and entered the half with a one-point lead at 52-51.

Will the Rockets pull out the win in Miami? Only time will tell, but with 24 more minutes to play at the time of publication, things have the potential to heat up even further in South Beach before the final buzzer.

The post Watch Kevin Durant, Tyler Herro exchange words in heated moment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During the latest segment on ESPN’s “First Take,” Perkins claims the 37-year-old forward is the absolute greatest scorer in league history. The former center turned NBA analyst says that Durant has no flaws in his game, which is why the Rockets star is similar to Beyoncé.

“[Kevin Durant is] the greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball,” said Perkins. “The greatest scorer. When you talk about a guy that has zero flaws, he’s Beyoncé on the offensive end. He’s flawless… He has no holes in his game.”

"[Kevin Durant is] the greatest scorer to ever play the game of basketball… When you talk about a guy that has zero flaws, he’s Beyonce on the offensive end… He has no holes in his game."

— Kendrick Perkins

(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/wqeycSMGly

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 28, 2026

Although he is in his 18th NBA season, Kevin Durant is still lighting up the scoreboard. He’s a legitimate threat from anywhere on the floor, and it’s hard to disagree with Kendrick Perkins’ take. Especially after just watching Durant record 40 points off 50.0% shooting and going 10 for 10 from the free-throw line against the Magic.

Through 55 games played so far this season, the 16-time All-Star is averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. He also owns a 50.8% field goal percentage while shooting 40.2% from beyond the three-point line.

Durant will have another opportunity to show off his skills on Saturday when the Rockets take on the Miami Heat on the road. That game is scheduled to tip off at 3:30 p.m. EST.

The post Kendrick Perkins makes wild Kevin Durant-Beyoncé comparison appeared first on ClutchPoints.

This fantastic feat speaks to the offensive magnificence Durant has displayed for almost two decades, and it also calls to attention just how much the man has moved in the last 10 years. The two-time NBA Finals MVP is one of the best scorers to ever grace the hardwood, but his habit for leaving a squad when adversity ramps up is often used against him in legacy conversations. Though, if he can help the Rockets win their first title since 1995, the narrative will instantly change.

Houston (37-21) has hit some bumps in the road from time to time this season, but it occupies third place in the Western Conference through 58 games. If Durant is healthy, this group should be quite dangerous in the playoffs. He has been consistently excellent, averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while knocking down 40.2 percent of his 3-pointer attempts.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka wants others to step up around the aging superstar, but he also knows that the franchise’s path to the Larry O’Brien Trophy rests tremendously on Durant’s silky-smooth shooting stroke. Fans have immense faith in the team’s long-term future, with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson comprising an exciting young core (Reed Sheppard could join them imminently). The question is, however, does the four-time scoring champion align with their timetable?

Kevin Durant will try to keep lighting up the scoreboard and hope that his teammates will continue to grow as the campaign progresses. He has two more years left on his contract, including a $46 million player option in 2027-28), so it remains to be seen if the 11-time All-NBA selection will drop 40 for a sixth franchise before he retires.

The post How Rockets’ Kevin Durant made NBA history with 40-point game vs. Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

KD dropped a 40-burger on the Magic, as the Rockets won 113-108. Along the way, Durant joined NBA legend Kobe Bryant in the history books.

It was the 431st game of his career in which he scored at least 30 points. That tied Bryant for the fifth most occurrences in NBA history.

Most games with 30+ points by a player in NBA history:

575 — LeBron James
562 — Michael Jordan
516 — Wilt Chamberlain
435 — Karl Malone
431 — Kobe Bryant, KEVIN DURANT

(via @NBAonPrime) pic.twitter.com/cGQHyzKyBR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 27, 2026

He now trails only LeBron James (575), Michael Jordan (562), Wilt Chamberlain (516), and Karl Malone (435) on the all-time list.

The Slim Reaper will very likely pass Malone in the next couple of weeks, moving him into fourth alone.

The Rockets’ superstar may not be considered a top-10 player all-time. But it is becoming nearly impossible to not call him one of the greatest scorers the league has ever seen.

Durant has nearly every skill in his arsenal imaginable. He can take you off the dribble and finish at the rack, has an exceptional mid-range game, can hit pull-ups and fadeaways, and is deadly from three-point range.

On Thursday, that arsenal was on display for fans in Orlando to witness.

He finished with 40 points on 14-for-28 shooting, nailing a couple triples. He added eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and knocked down all 10 of his free throws. It was another incredibly efficient game for the future Hall of Famer.

With the win, the Rockets improved to 37-21. They are currently third in the stacked Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Denver Nuggets.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant ties Kobe Bryant on all-time list amid huge night vs. Magic appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Smith finished with 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting in 29 minutes.

In a video posted on X, the 22-year-old forward stayed on the floor for a few seconds before getting up and limping to the bench.

That did not look good as Jabari Smith Jr. fell to the ground and immediately grabbed his right ankle. #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/lc5oOCtLRO

— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) February 27, 2026

While it was a good sign that Smith was able to walk by himself, there is still a possibility that he sustained a serious injury.

The Rockets cannot afford to lose him for an extended period, as he has been a key part of the machine. Smith, who is on a contract year, has proven to be a dependable two-way player with his length, agility, and athleticism. Despite his lithe frame, Smith is not afraid to get physical. He has also improved his outside shooting.

His frontcourt trio with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun is one of the deadliest in the NBA, with Smith serving as the perfect complement to his All-Star teammates.

With the victory, the Rockets improved to 37-21. Durant led the charge with a game-high 40 points and eight rebounds. Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Reed Sheepard also showed out with 20 points, including five three-pointers, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks off the bench.

The Rockets won their third straight game and will look to extend it on Saturday against the Miami Heat.

The post Rockets’ Jabari Smith leaves game vs. Magic late with apparent ankle injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the game, Sheppard got 100% honest on how he thinks the three-ball can be even more of a weapon for Houston moving forward, per Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle.

“I think there’s always room for more 3s, but I like shooting 3s, so that’s me,” said Sheppard. “The more we play with pace and continue to get into the paint, teams are going to have to make a decision whether to fan out or try to stay in the gaps, and if they do, it leaves us open to shoot more 3s.”

Sheppard added that “…It will change every night, because teams defenses are different but if we can continue to keep the pace up and get in the paint, then more 3s will be open for sure.”

The Rockets have several sharpshooters on their roster, led by Sheppard, who is nailing over 39 percent of his shots from beyond the arc this season.

While the free agent signing of Dorian Finney-Smith is starting to look like a bust, Tari Eason is continuing to spray the long ball effectively, and Kevin Durant of course remains a perennial threat from long range.

Houston’s offense has tapered off a bit after a hot start to the season, but they still have enough firepower to make for a dangerous opponent for anyone come playoff time.

The Rockets will next hit the floor for a tough back-to-back against the hot Orlando Magic on Wednesday evening on the road. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm ET.

The post Why Reed Sheppard believes Rockets need to ‘shoot more 3s’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, speaking to Stephen A. Smith, Jay Williams launched a passionate offense against Durant’s comments, claiming that they represented a racist, victimhood mentality, per a post on X by ClutchPoints.

“The first argument was about AAU Basketball, which is a completely different argument than the black American thing. I think you whenever you bring race into something like this, it hijacks the conversation and takes away from the initial point. It felt a little bit like a racist, victimhood mentality and it concerned me a tad because I think critiquing a development system is not critiquing a race. And we’re talking about development systems for Americans,” he said, before bringing up a slew of legends who have also talked about the differences between the European approach, compared to USA’s approach.

"It felt a little bit like a racist, victimhood mentality… because I think critiquing a development system is not critiquing a race. And we're talking about development systems for Americans."

Jay Williams on Kevin Durant's USA basketball take.pic.twitter.com/BayDVNIraK

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 26, 2026

Kobe Bryant, for example, had previously claimed that while in the USA, players are initially taught athleticism, European schools tend to prioritize basketball IQ and skill. Bryant had not concluded that the European method was right and was merely speaking out on the differences between the two schools.

“The thing that really bothered me about the comment is that we have heard American players talking about it for the longest time. Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, 2015 Kobe Bryant literally said European players are taught how to play the right way,” Williams said.

The argument is simple. Williams believes that the criticism, or the differences between the two schools actually exist, and the argument form former players has never been about proving that the European method works better. Instead, when Durant suggested that the criticism is merely a result of racist tendencies, he was stripping away the actual logic behind the argument.

“He never said European players are better…I felt like when KD goes on of these rants, it sounds a little bit reckless..Black history should never be minimized to a month, it should be American history,” Williams explained.

KD, undoubtedly a serial winner, may have indeed jumped the gun by bringing in a racism-related discourse to the argument, with Williams simply pointing out that the difference between the two schools of basketball are there for all to see.

The post Rockets star Kevin Durant’s Team USA rant a ‘racist, victimhood mentality,’ per Jay Williams appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Prior to the Rockets’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, Ime Udoka said that NBA coaches vote on whether they should wear suits and the overwhelming majority say no. During Udoka’s days as an assistant coach in the NBA, he used to wear suits.

“No thank you,” Udoka said. “I enjoyed it at the time, but the COVID year it obviously changed it. For comfort packing, less thinking, I think all of the above. They do a vote on the coaches every year and I think it’s 87 percent say no. About five say yes and the others don’t care.”

Udoka got his start in coaching as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs in 2012. He was part of the Spurs’ staff until 2019 when he joined the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2019-20 season. He spent one more season in 2020-21 as an assistant with the Brooklyn Nets before getting his first head coaching job with the Boston Celtics ahead of the 2021-22 season.

Udoka led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year as head coach, eventually falling to the Golden State Warriors in six games. He was let go from the Celtics in 2023 following a season-long suspension for violating team policies. He became head coach of the Rockets ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The post Ime Udoka basically tells Pat Riley to shove it with suit mic drop appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sheppard has not exactly established himself as an indispensable player in the eyes of head coach Ime Udoka. He has considerable defensive shortcomings that limit his upside in a defense-first Rockets system, but he has this blistering shooting nights that make him such an invaluable X-factor for the team nonetheless.

On Wednesday, Sheppard made the most of his rare start, tallying a game-high 28 points after drilling seven triples on 16 attempts from beyond the arc on the night. Rockets head coach Ime Udoka commented on Sheppard’s performance after the game and revealed what went right for the talented sophomore.

“Aggressiveness, hunting his shots. The fact that he got 12 [shots] up in the first half tells you all you need to know,” Udoka said, via Space City Home Network on X. “Great job overall. Made the right plays as well.”

Ime Udoka after the #Rockets 128-97 win over the Kings #AllFire @HoustonRockets back in action tomorrow at Orlando at 6pm on SCHN & SCHN+ pic.twitter.com/XFMbBLibMx

— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) February 26, 2026

Reed Sheppard looms large for the Rockets amid Fred VanVleet’s absence

VanVleet’s presence would have allowed Sheppard to be eased in more slowly by the Rockets. However, VanVleet’s season-ending torn ACL prior to the start of the season has thrust Sheppard into action, and he suffered a few ups and downs that are common among young guards who are still learning the ropes of what it means to be a playmaker in the association.

Sheppard, for what it’s worth, has produced in the games he’s started. In seven starts, he’s averaged 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.9 assists to go along with 2.1 steals per game.

The post Rockets’ Ime Udoka reveals key to Reed Sheppard’s monster game vs. Kings appeared first on ClutchPoints.

In fact, in their win over the Kings, Sengun recorded his third triple-double of the 2025-26 campaign, tallying 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in his decimation of the shorthanded Sacramento frontline. In so doing, the Rockets star made a bit of history.

Despite being just 23 years of age, Sengun now has the 10th most 25/10/10 games by a center in NBA history, as pointed out by the Real App account on X (formerly Twitter).

Sengun remains the Rockets’ primary offensive hub, and he has functioned as the team’s de facto point guard this season amid Fred VanVleet’s injury. There have been trying moments for Sengun and the Rockets this season, but this is the Turkish star at his best — a wrecking ball of a scorer in the paint who can make his teammates better by utilizing the attention he draws to create incredible looks.

All is good for the purportedly struggling Rockets

Even though there have been plenty of growing pains for the Rockets this season, they are somehow sitting in third place in the Western Conference. It’s a testament to their high performance floor on a game-to-game basis that they remain one of the best teams in the stacked conference even amid the team’s ridiculous inconsistencies.

This was the kind of win the Rockets needed — a convincing one that allowed their best players to play fewer minutes than usual, especially when they have a tough game looming on the second of a back-to-back against the Orlando Magic.

The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun joins top-10 NBA history in decimation of Kings appeared first on ClutchPoints.

It has since been revealed that the injury is feared to be in Williams’ ACL, and many fans were skeptical of Eason’s intentions on the play.

Josh Okogie steals the ball and Tari Eason finishes with the fastbreak dunk after bumping into Vince Williams Jr., who got injured and carried to the locker room (with replays)

Rockets and Peacock commentaries pic.twitter.com/9HnovfEaTN

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) February 24, 2026

After the game, Eason took the opportunity to apologize to Williams for the incident.

“I‘ve known Vince for a little bit and he’s just a really good dude, hard working dude,” Eason said, per Sarah Todd of the Desert News. “It was just respect. I’ve got a lot of respect for him, and I know it’s his contract year … I didn’t intend on doing anything. My intentions are always just to play hard. So I went to go holler and just check on him. Obviously nothing helps, but just tell him that I apologize. You know, nobody’s trying to hurt anybody.”

Meanwhile, Jazz coach Will Hardy had a blunt reaction to the play.

“That’s not basketball,” Hardy said.

Overall, it was a strong performance for the Rockets on Monday, which was much needed after their recent collapse against the New York Knicks on Saturday evening in Madison Square Garden. In that game, the Rockets led by as many as 18 points in the second half, but managed to put just 15 points on the board in an ugly fourth quarter, ultimately succumbing to a barrage of Jalen Brunson jumpers down the stretch.

The loss rekindled concerns about the Rockets’ crunch time offense and the team’s lack of a true point guard, although Fred VanVleet has not yet officially been ruled out for the rest of the season as he deals with his own ACL injury.

The Rockets will next take the court on Wednesday evening vs the Sacramento Kings.

The post Rockets’ Tari Eason apologizes after cheap shot gives Vince Williams Jr. ACL injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So, we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.”

The comments sparked a robust conversation, one that was the pretext to both American teams beating Team World in the new All-Star game format. Now, he’s continuing his crusade against rhetoric he deems unfair to American players and a subtext that isn’t often talked about in an ESPN report about him playing in the 2028 Olympics.

“It’s a lot of bulls— with that. I can read between the lines on that. It’s a shot at Black Americans. We’re controlling the sport. They’re tired of us controlling the sport.

He added, “‘France is coming for you.’ Really? We smacked them boys.”

Durant is correct, as the 2024 edition of Team USA at the Olympics beat a French national team led by Victor Wembanyama. Team USA has won Gold every summer Olympics since the shocking Bronze medal finish in the 2004 Olympics.

Durant also said that he wasn’t ruling out playing in the LA Olympics in the Summer of 2028, insenuating that the media painted a narrative that he and Steph Curry wouldn’t put their hat in the ring.

“You guys, the media, have projected that,” Durant told ESPN recently. “That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from? I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph.”

The post Kevin Durant blasts ‘bulls**t’ narrative around USA vs. Europe basketball – ‘Shot at Black Americans’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sengun is going through the fifth year of his NBA career with the Rockets. He has bloomed into being one of the best big men in the league, helping the Rockets return to relevancy.

His offensive skillset, especially his playmaking, often comes to light. What doesn’t appear very often is his dunking tendency. That part of his game went on full display during Houston’s contest with Utah. The highlight took place in the third quarter as Sengun and Kevin Durant used pick-and-roll action to pull it off. Durant got the ball back to his co-star, who did a euro step to get past his defender then leap in the air for the reverse dunk.

Alperen Sengun with the euro for the REVERSE SLAM pic.twitter.com/0OzVBcpvl7

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 24, 2026

How Alperen Sengun, Rockets played against Jazz

It was a great highlight for Alperen Sengun to successfully complete, helping the Rockets blow out the Jazz 125-105 at home.

Perimeter shooting and rebounding made the difference in this matchup. The Rockets won in both categories after making 18 3-pointers and securing 53 rebounds. It wasn’t the same for the Jazz as they only converted eight triples and grabbed 36 rebounds.

Six players scored in double-digits for Houston in the win, including Sengun. He finished with a stat line of 16 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, two blocks, and one steal on 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Jabari Smith Jr. boomed for a performance of 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Amen Thompson came next with 20 points and seven rebounds, Kevin Durant had 18 points and 12 assists, Reed Sheppard put up 15 points and four assists, while Tari Eason provided 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Houston improved to a 35-21 record on the season, holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings. They are one game above the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they trail the Denver Nuggets by a tiebreaker and the San Antonio Spurs by 5.5 games.

The Rockets will look forward to their next matchup, remaining at home. They host the Sacramento Kings as tip-off will take place on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. ET.

The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun jukes Jazz for sweet reverse slam dunk appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Perkins isn’t expecting the Rockets to make it out of the opening round of the playoffs, he said, per ESPN’s First Take.

“The Rockets are going home in the first round,” Perkins said. “Number one, they lack high basketball-IQ. Number two, they’ve lost their identity defensively. They used to be a defensive-minded team. I don’t know what the hell happened. Number three, they play individual, selfish basketball.”

Without a fluid offense, the Rockets won’t make it to the second round. And for Perkins, Thompson isn’t the only Rockets player with a selfless approach to offense.

“There are times when you watch Amen Thompson. He wants to go 1-on-1. Show the world that he can go get a bucket,” Perkins added. “No structure to their offense — the same with Sengun.”

"They play individual, selfish basketball… They'll [Houston Rockets] be sent home in the first round. I guarantee you that."

Kendrick Perkins doesn't see the Rockets making it out of the first round in the Playoffs

(via @FirstTake)
pic.twitter.com/koTVUHsw02

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 23, 2026

However, above all, what irks Kendrick Perkins most is that the Rockets didn’t try to swing a deal for Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo at the trade deadline.

Ime Udoka calls out Rockets’ Amen Thompson

If it’s not Rockets All-Star Kevin Durant’s social media accusations, it’s coach Ime Udoka calling out Amen Thompson, who has had the Rockets in the news last week. The ball stopped moving when it landed in Thompson’s hands, Udoka said, per The Athletic’s Kelly Iko.

“Ball stopped moving, started isolating too much. Same story — we’ve lost too many games like this. I’m telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; it’s not the time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The Rockets will look to bounce back from their 108-106 loss to the Knicks when they host the Jazz on Monday.

The post Kendrick Perkins makes shocking Rockets playoff guarantee appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Speaking to ESPN, Durant would correct the narratives, saying that while LeBron James said he wasn’t playing, neither he nor his former Golden State Warriors teammate Stephen Curry confirmed anything. He would go on to say, “I want to play,” as it also depends on how he’ll produce by that time, since he will be close to 40 years old.

“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant continued. “I would love to, but I gotta stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting, I want to produce on the floor and make Grant and whoever is making the decisions, want to put me on the team. I don’t want — not just for seniority. I want to still prove I can help the team win. Today, yeah, I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat.”

Kevin Durant on the talks around the USA vs. European style of basketball

With Durant putting his name in to be on Team USA for the 2028 Los Angeles games, the star has had his fair share of success on that stage, winning four gold medals and holding the record for the most points scored for the country in Olympic competition.

Though missing James and maybe Curry would hurt, since the two alongside Durant were crucial in 2024, there is still major confidence to repeat as champions, though he doesn’t love the talks around the USA and European style of play.

“All I hear is, ‘AAU is destroying the game, the Euros do it right while the Americans do it wrong.’ It’s a lot of bulls*** with that. I can read between the lines on that; it’s a shot at Black Americans. We’re controlling the sport; they’re tired of us controlling the sport,” Durant said.

At any rate, it remains to be seen what the official team looks like for Team USA in the 2028 Olympics.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant hints at playing in 2028 Olympics with defiant mic drop appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Udoka clarified that such a seismic shift isn’t on the horizon, primarily because the team prioritizes a stout defensive identity. While Thompson is regarded as one of the league’s premier defenders, Sheppard still has significant strides to make on that end of the floor to justify a starting role in Udoka’s system.

This lack of late-game organization was on full display during a narrow 108-106 defeat against the Knicks, where even a 30-point effort from Kevin Durant wasn’t enough to secure a victory. The collapse highlighted the very inconsistencies that have plagued Houston all year.

Following the game, Udoka expressed his frustration with the backcourt’s execution. According to Kelly Iko on X, the head coach noted that the ball stopped moving as the team leaned too heavily on isolation play.

Udoka remarked that it was a familiar story of losing games in this fashion and stated, “Ball stopped moving, started isolating too much. Same story — we’ve lost too many games like this. I’m telling Amen and Reed to be more demonstrative and get us into our sets; it’s not the time to freestyle. Turnovers hurt, but bad offense is just as bad.”

The pressure on these young guards has only intensified after the Rockets decided to stand pat at the trade deadline. Despite visible gaps in perimeter shooting, the front office has essentially tasked its current roster with fixing these issues internally. This puts a massive spotlight on Reed Sheppard, who is currently enduring a difficult shooting stretch.

If the Rockets truly want to stop the freestyling that Udoka criticized, they will need to find a balance between developing their young shooters and ensuring they are on the floor when the game is on the line.

The post Rockets coach Ime Udoka calls out Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard after epic collapse vs. Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Durant embraced Hall of Fame center Patrick Ewing inside Madison Square Garden. “PG’s finest,” the Knickerbockers great said, per the ESPN X account, referencing the 37-year-old’s upbringing in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Ewing rose to stardom around those parts, spending four years at the Washington D.C.-based Georgetown University in the 1980s before later becoming the Hoyas head coach.

Kevin Durant is stamped in The Garden pic.twitter.com/pASZROOGcI

— ESPN (@espn) February 22, 2026

Mutual respect flowed through MSG, as these two approximate 7-footers shared some words and a quick hug about an hour before the action tipped off. These men have both endured endless scrutiny, so they can probably relate to each other on a deeper level.

Ewing was labeled the Knicks’ savior in 1985, the man who would make The Garden a den of champions once again. New York reached the NBA Finals once and was unable to come away with the Larry O’Brien Trophy during the big man’s 15-year run with the franchise. Durant led the Oklahoma City Thunder in their infancy but was unable to reach the pinnacle with a team many consider to be the best to never win a title. He was brutally vilified after leaving to join the Golden State Warriors in 2016.

Although Durant claimed two Finals MVP awards with the Dubs, many still hold his accomplishments in lesser regard because he jumped to a super team. When people discuss any of these two NBA titans, they will inevitably use the words “but” or “what if.” That may never change, but they seem to be doing alright just the same.

Perhaps Kevin Durant and Patrick Ewing can catch up a little more after the game.

The post Watch Rockets’ Kevin Durant link up with Patrick Ewing before Knicks clash appeared first on ClutchPoints.

That was exactly what the 30-year-old pointed out to an X user when he was trolled after a fan was seen sporting his jersey at an event. Wood wore the number 35 through the entirety of his career, with the fan in question seen wearing his Houston Rockets jersey.

Why is it crazy? I was tough, especially on the rockets .. casual .. respect to bro https://t.co/UzbrJ3cCIM

— 35 (@Chriswood_5) February 19, 2026

“Nah, a Christian Wood jersey in the wild is crazy ,” the user initially wrote on X over the clip, with the video featuring a range of fan-worn player jerseys, including those of Chris Paul, Lonzo Ball, and Shaedon Sharpe.

Wood however, was quick to hit back at the slight jab, even calling out the original poster for being a ‘casual.’

“Why is it crazy? I was tough, especially on the rockets .. casual .. respect to bro,” Wood wrote, clearly demanding more respect for his achievements in the league.

And that appears warranted. Not a lot of players end up producing an average of 20 points per game throughout the season, and while Wood only did that once, he consistently proved his ability as a lethal scorer, especially during his two seasons with the Rockets.

During that time, Wood averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting at a high 50.1% overall and 38.4% from the three-point zone. And while he was often criticized for his defensive work, his ability on the other end of the court was never in doubt, and should command more respect from fans.

Of course, the player himself appears well aware of that fact and was quick to hit back on social media.

The post Christian Wood calls out ‘casual’ after Rockets jersey sighting appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The 35-point outing was the 429th 30-point game of Durant’s career, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for sixth-most in NBA history. He now sits two behind Kobe Bryant for fifth on the all-time list. It was Durant’s highest scoring performance in over a month and followed a 31-point effort against Charlotte on Feb. 5. Through 51 games this season, the 37-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 51% from the field and 40.4% from three.

Houston shot 48.8% overall but struggled from deep, finishing 9-of-32 (28.1%). The Rockets compensated by outscoring Charlotte 48-32 in the paint and shooting 12-of-13 (92.3%) at the line. They also forced 16 turnovers (23 per one report) and recorded 15 steals and eight blocks, turning defensive pressure into 16 fast-break points. Houston finished with 11 turnovers compared to the Hornets’ 16, a crucial factor in a four-point game.

Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 2-of-3 from three, seven rebounds, a block, and a steal. Alperen Sengun contributed 13 points and seven assists despite shooting 6-of-16, while Reed Sheppard also scored 13. The Rockets overcame an 11-point first-half deficit and built a 95-84 lead with five minutes remaining.

For Charlotte, Grant Williams led with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting (4-of-5 from three). Brandon Miller scored 17 but shot 1-of-12 from deep and 5-of-22 overall in one account. LaMelo Ball, playing a day after a car accident, finished with 11 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Rookie Kon Knueppel chipped in 15 points and hit multiple late threes, but Durant closed the game with 10 fourth-quarter points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left.

The win improved Houston to 34-20 and kept them fourth in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and one behind the Denver Nuggets. The Hornets, having won 11 of 12 entering the break, remain 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 26-30 record, one game behind the Atlanta Hawks.

The Rockets will next hit the road to face the New York Knicks on Saturday, while Charlotte will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant equals Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in win vs. Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

With the Rockets leading by three points, 101-98, with only 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Hornets needed a stop to give them a chance to steal the victory.

But Durant said: Nah. With the shot clock winding down, the veteran forward buried the dagger jumper over two defenders, sealing the win.

KEVIN DURANT. DAGGER.

FIRST GAME BACK FROM BREAK AND THE REAPER DROPS 35 PTS pic.twitter.com/gOVfsyPZ8W

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 20, 2026

The Rockets improved to 34-20, bouncing back from their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers before the midseason break.

Durant led the way anew with a game-high 35 points on 14-of-20 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

The 37-year-old Durant is back to being all business now that the NBA has resumed. He recently found himself in the middle of online noise after some fans claimed that he was behind a burner account that thrashed some of his teammates, including Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.

The two-time Finals MVP brushed off the issue, although he did not categorically deny it.

Perhaps he did not want to give it more credence by responding. He has always said he only wants to play and do his job. Durant supposedly vented about his legacy in private messages to a reporter two years ago.

Smith had 15 points and seven rebounds versus the Hornets, while Sengun added 13 points, seven assists, and three steals. Reed Sheppard chipped in 13 points, four rebounds, and three assists off the bench.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant quiets Hornets crowd with clutch dagger appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Green acknowledged that the matter remains unproven but suggested that, if true, the fallout inside a locker room could create awkward tension.

“I personally would address it publicly if it’s a public thing and taking on the life that it’s taken. But to each his own. But I’ll tell you what, if it is I don’t know how you walk back into practice, I mean walking back into practice after the break almost you walk into the locker room it probably feel like a Key & Peele sketch. Just like a little awkward like what do you do? Uh what’s up bro? I don’t know. Yeah, but anyway, these are alleged. It’s alleged to be KD’s burner account. Maybe one day we’ll know the truth. Maybe we already know the truth, maybe we already know the truth. Who knows?”

Screenshots from an account called @gethigher77, which is now private, circulated widely during All-Star Weekend. There is no verified proof that Durant operates the account, though the speculation has sparked extensive online debate.

The account reportedly criticized several Houston players, including Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, questioning Sengun’s shooting and defense while raising concerns about Smith’s scoring and defensive consistency. Other claims suggested the account criticized former teammates Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving, including comments labeling Booker a “dictator” and implying Irving acted as though Durant owed him something.

Draymond Green taking about the Kevin Durant burner account situation

“I personally would address it publicly if it’s a public thing and taking on the life that it’s taken. But to each his own. But I’ll tell you what, if it is I don’t know how you walk back into practice, I… pic.twitter.com/2UjQQpIyB6

— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) February 19, 2026

Rockets star Kevin Durant’s burner history looms over new allegations

Durant has previously been connected to anonymous social media accounts. In September 2017, while playing for the Warriors, he accidentally posted a response from his verified account in the third person that appeared intended for a burner account. The tweet defended his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder and criticized former coach Billy Donovan and teammate Russell Westbrook.

“He didn’t like the organisation or playing for Billy Donovan. His roster wasn’t that good, it was just him and Russ,” the tweet read, according to reports at the time.

Durant has since spoken openly about his social media engagement. During an appearance on The Pivot Podcast in October, he described posting online as a form of emotional release.

“I don’t want to build up all this hate towards media or fans,” Durant said. “So I just say what I feel in the moment.”

The 37-year-old signed a two-year, $90 million extension following his offseason trade to the Rockets in a multi-team deal. He has continued to perform at an elite level, averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.6% from the field and 40.3% from three across 50 games. Houston holds a 33–20 record and sits fourth in the Western Conference standings.

The Rockets will return to action Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. ET in a road matchup against the Charlotte Hornets (26–29), as the focus shifts back to on-court performance amid continued social media speculation.

The post Warriors’ Draymond Green reacts to Kevin Durant ‘Key & Peele’ like burner account drama appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Arenas addressed Durant’s burner controversy, per Gil’s Arena.

“Now I’m on a burner account talking in 1st person? So why the f*ck am I in a private group chat on a burner?… The n**** who leaked it is the person behind it,” Arenas said. “If you look at these tweets and you look at how Kevin Durant texts, it’s not the same person. No burner account talks in the first person.”

"Now I'm on a burner account talking in 1st person? So why the f*ck am I in a private group chat on a burner?… The n**** who leaked it is the person behind it."

Gilbert Arenas on the alleged Kevin Durant burner account

(via @GilsArenaShow)pic.twitter.com/5e7DR9PIcv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 19, 2026

When a reporter asked Durant about the alleged burner account, he refused to get into, but understood why the topic was mentioned, per NBA on ESPN reporter Vanessa Richardson.

“I know you’ve got to ask these questions, but I’m not here to get into Twitter nonsense,” Durant said. “I’m just here to focus on the season and keep but pushing. But I get you have to ask those questions. My teammates know what it is, we’ve been locked in the whole season. We’ve enjoyed our break, had a great practice today, and looking forward to the road trip.”

"I'm not here to get into Twitter nonsense. … My teammates know what it is, we've been locked in the whole season."

Rockets star Kevin Durant when asked about his alleged burner account

(via @SportsVanessa, Q: @ByVarunShankar)pic.twitter.com/2fYU6agrLL

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026

The entire situation with Kevin Durant and the Rockets had Gilbert Arenas fired up.

Kevin Durant’s alleged burner account trashing Rockets players

Veteran forward Kevin Druant’s alleged burner account trashing Rockets teammates began to circulate around social media during All-Star weekend.

Screenshots from an account called @gethigher77, which is now private, started spreading. There is no solid proof that Durant runs the account, but that has not stopped people online from debating it.

The account reportedly criticized Houston players Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, claiming Sengun struggles with shooting and defense and questioning Smith’s scoring and defensive ability.

The post Rockets Kevin Durant’s burner controversy has Gilbert Arenas screaming through NSFW rant appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Hornets also have Coby White around this time, but he hasn’t played since being traded from the Chicago Bulls. White is dealing with a left calf strain, and he’s still listed on the injury report with the ailment.

Here is his status for tonight’s game.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Coby White’s injury status vs. Rockets

White is listed as out against the Rockets, and the Hornets will have to wait a little longer for his debut. Acquiring White was big for the Hornets, as they have a guard who can come off the bench and score in bunches, and that will be important for them as they try to continue to climb the standings for the next two months of the season.

The Hornets have started to figure things out on both sides of the floor after a slow start to the season. Some were questioning head coach Charles Lee and his decisions, but it looks like the things that he was doing are paying off.

LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel have become a great backcourt duo, and the frontcourt of Bridges and Brandon Miller has played well.

It will be interesting to see how things go for the team when White is able to finally play, and it should only make things better. For now, they’ll have to continue to ride out the season without him.

The post Is Hornets’ Coby White finally making Charlotte debut vs. Rockets after Bulls trade? appeared first on ClutchPoints.

And if Bill Simmons had to bet his life on it, he would say that the account in question does actually belong to KD.

“If I had to put my life on if one way or the other, I’d bet yes. Triple double cocaine bear is one of the funniest things anyone has written on any platform in the last 30 years and I don’t think that we’ll ever find out the true answer. It could be a combo of some real stuff with some AI stuff. And that is the problem is 2026. Always trying to decipher what’s real,” he said on The Bill Simmons podcast, eventually claiming that KD might not be “worth it” for the Rockets despite still being good enough.

“I loved how they were playing the first six weeks and I really felt like it was the perfect team for him and he was a leader but they also had a lot of different ways to go, but what you’re describing basically is when do you hit the Chris Paul zone of people are just like yeah, we’re good. You’re not worth it basically. But with Chris Paul that happened because he wasn’t good enough anymore,” Simmons claimed.

The account in question, @gethigher77, has posted several comments of late criticizing KD’s current and former teammates such as Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker. However, Durant himself has publicly dismissed the speculation.

Speaking after a Rockets practice, KD described the conversation as social media noise and emphasized his focus on the season, noting that his relationship with teammates remains intact and that the team’s preparation has not been disrupted, per Basketball News.

The post Bill Simmons convinced Rockets’ Kevin Durant burner account is real appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During the weekend, as the All-Star festivities were taking place in Los Angeles, California, fans on social media found an X, formerly Twitter, account that is alleged to have belonged to and been used by Kevin Durant. X users claimed the future NBA Hall-of-Famer used the accounts to trash talk current and former teammates.

Do you believe KDF will address the burner of his @gethigher77 weird how all his friends in search engine are the ones who are responding to it and he goes in chats on it trashing teammates pic.twitter.com/ICzj2f912E

— Ryan (@basedfrog23) February 15, 2026

pic.twitter.com/8VOxBM4mgz

— kidd (@iam_nnaemeka_) February 15, 2026

pic.twitter.com/4HY2pGnAwl

— َ (@Asensii20) February 15, 2026

During the Rockets first practice out of the All-Star break on Wednesday morning, Kevin Durant was asked about the alleged Twitter account that surfaced and went viral on social media.

“I know you’ve got to ask these questions, but I’m not here to get into Twitter nonsense,” Durant said. “I’m just here to focus on the season and keep but pushing. But I get you have to ask those questions. My teammates know what it is, we’ve been locked in the whole season. We’ve enjoyed our break, had a great practice today, and looking forward to the road trip.”

"I'm not here to get into Twitter nonsense. … My teammates know what it is, we've been locked in the whole season."

Rockets star Kevin Durant when asked about his alleged burner account

(via @SportsVanessa, Q: @ByVarunShankar)pic.twitter.com/2fYU6agrLL

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 18, 2026

A 16-time NBA All-Star, Kevin Durant has helped lead the Rockets to a top four seed in the Western Conference with a 33-20 record through the All-Star break. In 50 appearances this season, Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 50.6 percent from the field, 40.3 percent from three, and 88 percent from the free throw line.

This season, Kevin Durant — 31,862 points — has passed both both Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring list, currently sitting in sixth place with Michael Jordan up next at 32,292 career points.

Houston kicks off their post-All-Star break schedule with a two-game road trip against the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks before returning home for a two-game home-stand against the Utah Jazz and Sacramento Kings.

The post Kevin Durant breaks silence on alleged Twitter burner account appeared first on ClutchPoints.

While it is most probably untrue—and difficult to prove—Durant has a history of using a different account to defend himself from critics on social media.

Some feel that the two-time Finals MVP is very sensitive, especially when it comes to his legacy, even though he is already a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame in the future.

The Ringer’s Raheem Palmer revealed that Durant sent him a private message two years ago to discuss his impact on the NBA and a multitude of other topics.

“KD jumped in my DMs on Memorial Day Weekend two years ago and argued with me for hours about his legacy, how Bill Simmons, Stephen A. Smith, and Zach Lowe hate on him, the media telling lies, being better than Steph Curry, my view of him, the (Golden State) Warriors, and so many other things,” wrote Palmer on X.

“I’ll never leak our convo because that’s corny to me, but I’ve come to respect how much he cares about all of this.”

The 37-year-old Durant’s legacy is already secure, even if he does not win another title. He has often said he simply wants to hoop.

While he is notorious for clapping back at critics, the 16-time All-Star explained that he is just responding to their energy, adding that he enjoys interacting with the fans.

“He’s human, and he’s not any more capable than the rest of us to be impacted by discourse surrounding him despite being rich and famous,” added Palmer.

Durant is averaging 25.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in his first season with the Rockets.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant reportedly vented frustrations in private messages appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Durant was brought to the Rockets this past offseason from the Phoenix Suns, and recently, one reporter made a quip about a key member of that return trade package that Phoenix received.

“I just feel like I’ve experienced everything [in this league]…” said Durant during an interview at All-Star media day.

“And Dillon Brooks,” added the reporter.

“What do you mean by that?” wondered Durant with a smile, per Omer Osman on X, formerly Twitter.

Brooks was one of the key pieces in the package that the Suns got back in return for Durant, and he has been a revelation this year, garnering some All-Star consideration in his own right for his play on a Phoenix team that has performed far above expectations so far on the 2025-26 season.

Brooks has long been known as a basketball past, earning himself the nickname “Dillon the Villain” in the process, so it’s no surprise that Durant would have such a puzzled response to the quip.

Meanwhile, Durant and the Rockets are looking to recapture their early season form after they have hit a bit of a rough patch in recent weeks, with their offense falling off significantly after a hot start to the year.

With Steven Adams out for the year and Fred VanVleet likely in the same boat, Houston will need to dig deep in order to finish out the season strong in the vaunted Western Conference.

Their season is set to resume on Thursday vs the Charlotte Hornets.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant caught off guard by reporter’s out of pocket Dillon Brooks comment appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Screenshots from an account called @gethigher77, which is now private, started spreading during All-Star Weekend. There is no solid proof that Durant runs the account, but that has not stopped people online from debating it.

The account reportedly criticized Houston players Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Sengun, claiming Sengun struggles with shooting and defense and questioning Smith’s scoring and defensive ability.

Claims also suggest Durant criticized former teammates Devin Booker and Kyrie Irving. Booker was reportedly called a “dictator” who took all the credit in wins, while Irving was said to act as if Durant owed him something.

None of these claims have been proven. Durant has faced burner account rumors before, though he often responds openly from his main account, making some doubt he is behind this one.

The Rockets signed Durant to a $90 million extension in October 2025 to lead their young roster toward a championship. Now, concerns about trust in the locker room are harder to ignore.

Durant has been linked to anonymous accounts for nearly a decade. In September 2017, while with the Golden State Warriors, he accidentally posted from his verified account in the third person.

The tweet defended his move from the Oklahoma City Thunder and criticized former coach Billy Donovan and teammate Russell Westbrook. It was clearly meant for a burner account.

“He didn’t like the organisation or playing for Billy Donovan. His roster wasn’t that good, it was just him and Russ,” the tweet read, according to reports.

In October, Durant appeared on The Pivot Podcast and spoke openly about his social media use. He described posting online as a “quick release” for emotions he did not want to keep bottled up.

“I don’t want to build up all this hate towards media or fans,’ Durant said. “So I just say what I feel in the moment.”

That explanation may seem reasonable when it comes to responding to anonymous critics online. It becomes more complicated, however, if the comments were directed at teammates he shares the locker room with.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant alleged to have burner account trashing teammates, but nothing is confirmed appeared first on ClutchPoints.

“Twitter because they don’t deserve to hear this God-level like talk I’m giving to them,” Durant said with a smile. “They’re taking it for granted.”

Kevin Durant on whether he'd give up Twitter or video games for the rest of his life:

"Twitter because they don't deserve to hear this god level like talk I'm giving to them. They're taking it for granted" pic.twitter.com/ouVhr44EDH

— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 14, 2026

Durant has been known for his heavy activity on X, formerly Twitter. He’s done everything from calling people out to cheering on fellow NBA players and giving his takes on various topics in and around sports. Still, Durant would give it all up over playing video games.

Durant has been an avid gamer over the years, as he has publicly shared on social media and in interviews.

Kevin Durant’s ‘intensity’ take on All-Star game eras

Rockets veteran Kevin Durant addressed the All-Star Game’s intensity over the years, noting he doesn’t see much difference in players’ effort from the past to today. Durant took shots at Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic and Lakers guard Luka Doncic, taunting two of Team World’s perennial All-Stars to bring their competitive edge.

The way Durant sees it, the effort from players he’s watched play in the NBA’s All-Star Game over the years has never been “intense,” as others recall, he explained.

“I’ve been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation has been talking about,” Durant said. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it, you know?”

"I've been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation been talking about. I don't know if I've seen it."

— Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/d4Y66J7yfw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The NBA’s new USA vs. World format will feature three teams — Team World, USA Stars, and USA Stripes — each with eight players, competing in a round-robin tournament.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant hilariously explains why he’d give up ‘Twitter’ over video games appeared first on ClutchPoints.

For Durant, he doesn’t agree with the narrative surrounding how competitve the All-Star game was for the NBA amid its 1990s and 2000s eras, and he explained why during All-Star Media Day on Saturday.

“I’ve been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation has been talking about,” Durant said. “I don’t know if I’ve seen it, you know?”

"I've been watching All-Star games and the intensity the older generation been talking about. I don't know if I've seen it."

— Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/d4Y66J7yfw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 14, 2026

The NBA’s new USA vs. World format will feature three teams — Team World, USA Stars, and USA Stripes — each with eight players, competing in a round-robin tournament.

Kevin Durant will play for the USA Stripes team alongside LA Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Lakers’ All-Star LeBron James, and New York Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson, among others, such as Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, and Cleveland Cavs’ Donovan Mitchell. Toronto Raptors’ Brandon Ingram and San Antonio Spurs’ De’Aaron Fox are replacing injured All-Stars Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Lakers All-Star Luka Dončić, Denver Nuggets two-time MVP Nikola Jokić, and first-time All-Star Jamal Murray will play for Team World. Rockets’ Alperen Sengun, Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, and Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama are also on the squad, along with first-time All-Star Portland Blazers forward Deni Avdija, nd Indiana Pacers’ Pascal Siakam.

Kawhi Leonard hopes players are ‘competing’ in All-Star games

Clippers veteran Kawhi Leonard thinks the All-Star game will be competitive this season. However, for Leonard, how the games start is critical, he said, per NBA on Prime insider Chris Haynes.

“It’s going to start with the starters, whoever gets out there first,” Leonard said. “For me, personally, we should just go back to the way it was, and if guys are going to play hard, they’ll play hard. I think it’ll be competitive this year. I don’t know how the format is. But hopefully, guys are out there competing. They usually do, but it’s also an All-Star game.”

Caught up with Clippers star Kawhi Leonard in LA in advance of the All-Star game on Sunday. Touched on a multitude of topics including if guys will play hard. pic.twitter.com/ppgZi4L5uU

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 14, 2026

Leonard will be playing for the USA Stripes team.

The post Kevin Durant drops All-Star Game ‘intensity’ take that will catch fans’ attention appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the other hand, he says the real culprits are on the World Team, and he called out Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic in his recent presser.

“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.

“But these two dudes out there, Luka and Jokic, they don’t care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor. They’re shooting from half court. But you’ve got to worry about the old heads playing hard? I can read between the lines, bro. It’s just an overall topic that everybody’s been talking about.”

"You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they're going to compete. If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let's go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition?"

– Kevin Durant

(via @mshap2)pic.twitter.com/7wQq3URQO0

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 12, 2026

Doncic and Jokic are usually jogging up and down the court during the All-Star Game, and they’ll shoot a crazy shot here and there. Nonetheless, they are not the only players on the court who are doing the same thing, as some American players fall into that same trap.

There are some players who take it seriously, and they usually end up with a lot of points and win the All-Star MVP.

With this new format, it will be interesting to see if the players end up showing more effort or if it will be much of the same thing.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant takes shots at Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic over All-Star Game effort appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sengun had a solid game against the Clippers in the first game, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. He was key in the win, and the hope is that he’s able to play in this matchup as well.

Here is his status before the game.

*Watch NBA games LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)*

Alperen Sengun’s injury status vs. Clippers

Sengun is listed as probable against the Clippers, which means he’ll most likely be suiting up for the game. Sengun is having an All-Star season, and he was recently added to the roster as an injury replacement for Stephen Curry.

The Rockets have needed Sengun this season, and alongside Kevin Durant, they’ve been a strong duo. It’s led them to being near the top teams in the Western Conference, and there is still enough time in the season for them to keep climbing the standings.

They have had some injuries throughout the season, including the latest one being Steven Adams, who will be out for the rest of the year. Fred VanVleet has been out for the season after tearing his ACL in the offseason, but there is still hope that he can return if the Rockets are in the postseason.

With not a real veteran point guard available on the team, Sengun has taken some of the responsibility of making plays for his teammates, which he has made look easy at times. Hopefully, he can stay healthy throughout the rest of the season so the Rockets can make a run in the postseason.

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Thompson helped the Rockets beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 10-295, at Toyota Center on Tuesday. They improved to 33-9, including 18-6 at home.

In the third quarter, the 23-year-old Thompson woke up the crowd with a nasty highlight. Jabari Smith Jr. missed his jumper as the shot clock was winding down, but Thompson climbed the ladder for the putback slam over Kris Dunn.

Amen Thompson RISES UP for the putback slam over Kris Dunn

pic.twitter.com/ZIaoVoo2Sn

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

He finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and six rebounds.

Thompson is one of the NBA’s most athletic players. He makes everything look so effortless on both ends with his speed, length, and leaping ability. While he can be erratic at times, he remains a key piece for Houston, which has transformed him into a ball-handler.

Thompson has embraced the role, improving his playmaking in his third year. He is averaging career-highs across the board: 17.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals.

The Clippers tried to mount a comeback in the final quarter, but the Rockets staved them off by erecting a 12-point lead with six minutes to go, punctuated by Reed Sheppard’s three-pointer.

Kevin Durant had 26 points, although he struggled from the field at 8-of-22. He added six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Alperen Sengun provided support with 22 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The Rockets will battle the Clippers again on Wednesday, and expect Thompson to play with the same level of energy.

The post Rockets’ Amen Thompson nails putback dunk over Kris Dunn appeared first on ClutchPoints.

To that end, some are wondering whether or not Reed Sheppard could be inserted into the starting lineup on a full-time basis seeing as he’s one of the few true point guards the Rockets have on the roster. Some even think that Sheppard could start at the expense of Amen Thompson, an unorthodox ball handler in the mold of Ben Simmons.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, however, shut that notion down.

“Not right now, if ever,” Udoka said when asked if he would move Sheppard into the starting lineup for Thompson, via Lachard Binkley of SI.

Here was Ime response when asked about possibly moving Reed into the starting lineup for Amen.

“Not right now if ever” https://t.co/g8QmlLRTFV pic.twitter.com/A5Qw2XEXrw

— Lachard Binkley (@BinkleyHoops) February 10, 2026

Considering that the Rockets prioritize being stout on the defensive end to help cover for Alperen Sengun’s shortcomings on that end of the floor, it’s not likely for Udoka to put in Sheppard, who has his fair share of deficiencies on defense, for Thompson, who is one of the best defenders in the league.

Rockets take down Clippers on Tuesday

The Rockets lost their previous meeting against the Clippers after they allowed Kawhi Leonard to pop off for 41 on that night. But on Tuesday, they held Leonard to just 24 points, and the shorthanded Clippers team fell to the Rockets, 102-95.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 26, and he was only one of five Rockets players who scored in double figures. Houston played an eight-man rotation, which is telling of how Udoka views his roster at this point of the season.

The post Rockets’ Ime Udoka makes stance on Amen Thompson starting crystal clear appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Early dividends

The Rockets’ 2025-26 campaign has been defined by transformation. The blockbuster offseason acquisition of KD instantly recalibrated expectations from developmental patience to championship urgency.

As of mid-February 2026, Houston sits at 32-19. They currently hold 4th place in a brutally competitive Western Conference. Under head coach Ime Udoka, the Rockets have built their identity on defensive ferocity. They rank 4th in points allowed at 110.0 per game and 5th in overall defensive rating. Those numbers validate Udoka’s culture-first blueprint.

Even more impressive is how Houston has sustained that identity amid major injury adversity. Veteran leader Fred VanVleet was lost before the season even gained traction, suffering a torn ACL. More recently, Steven Adams underwent ankle surgery that ended his season. That has stripped Houston of interior depth and physicality. Still, the Rockets have kept winning.

Offensive evolution

Without a traditional lead guard, Houston has pivoted offensively into a “playmaking by committee” ecosystem.

Alperen Sengun has blossomed into a point-center hub. He averages 20.8 points and 6.3 assists while orchestrating offense from the elbows. Amen Thompson’s downhill explosiveness has added another layer. The athletic wing produces 17.8 points per game while shouldering secondary creation duties.

Durant, meanwhile, remains the offensive north star. His 25.9 points per night anchor late-game execution and half-court shot creation. That’s particularly true in clutch moments where Houston leans on isolation efficiency.

Young wings like Jabari Smith Jr have also absorbed larger responsibilities due to injuries. Meanwhile, the backcourt rotation, though productive, has been stretched thin.

The record reflects a contender. The roster balance, however, tells a more fragile story.

Silence that spoke loudly

The Rockets’ biggest 2026 trade deadline mistake wasn’t a trade they made but the absence of one entirely. Houston was one of only three teams league-wide to remain completely inactive on February 5. For a contender built around an aging superstar, inactivity invites major scrutiny.

Championship teams historically sharpen edges at the deadline. Houston chose instead to trust internal solutions. That gamble begins at the point guard position.

VanVleet’s absence has been the season’s defining structural disruption. Since his season-ending ACL tear, Houston has operated without a traditional floor general. The statistical consequences are clear. As of the deadline, the Rockets ranked 26th in turnover percentage. They curently average 15.1 giveaways per game.

Without VanVleet’s tempo control and decision-making, the offense has leaned heavily on committee creation. Thompson, Sengun, and Reed Sheppard have all contributed playmaking bursts. That said, none replicate the stabilizing orchestration VanVleet once provided.

The ripple effect is most visible in Durant’s role. Rather than functioning purely as a scoring assassin, he’s been forced into extended facilitation sequences. That has raised usage strain and may potentially cap late-round playoff efficiency. That imbalance is a postseason vulnerability.

Missed targets

What amplifies the miscalculation is that Houston was actively linked to solutions but landed none. Coby White emerged as an early trade target. Houston explored pathways with Chicago. They viewed White as a scoring guard capable of alleviating playmaking pressure. Those talks ultimately dissolved when White was moved to Charlotte.

The Rockets quickly pivoted to Ayo Dosunmu, a defensive-minded guard who fit Udoka’s identity. Yet Minnesota finalized a deal for Dosunmu before Houston could escalate negotiations.

Now, the franchise’s contingency planning rests heavily on the buyout market. That’s an unpredictable avenue dependent on timing and player preference. Veterans like Chris Paul and Lonzo Ball loom as speculative options. However, buyout acquisitions rarely reshape playoff ceilings.

Houston had trade leverage. Two viable rotation upgrades. Two missed opportunities. They chose patience instead.

Frontcourt fragility

The second silent flaw lies behind Sengun. Adams’ season-ending ankle surgery stripped Houston of its physical interior insurance. Without him, the Rockets’ backup center rotation lacks playoff-proven durability. Standing pat meant bypassing available reinforcements.

Nick Richards, later acquired by Milwaukee, would have provided rim protection and rebounding stability. Even Nikola Vucevic, who was eventually moved to Boston, offered offensive spacing and veteran interior presence. Houston pursued neither aggressively.

Now, the Western Conference landscape is filled with elite bigs like Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Chet Holmgren. With that, frontcourt depth becomes survival, not luxury.

Contention demands aggression

The philosophical debate surrounding Houston’s deadline centers on timeline alignment. This is no longer a rebuilding team gathering reps. This is a Durant-anchored contender with defensive infrastructure and home-court aspirations. Standing still in that context carries risk.

Of course, continuity has value. However, postseason series often hinge on marginal advantages. Those include bench creation, foul insurance, and late-game ball security. Houston addressed none externally.

To the front office’s credit, the Rockets’ restraint reflects belief in internal progression. Udoka’s system emphasizes role clarity and defensive accountability. Overhauling rotation chemistry midseason carries its own risks. Houston chose trust over urgency.

Final word

The Rockets are still true title contenders. Their record, defense, and superstar shot creation make that undeniable. February, though, is where champions sharpen edges. Houston sheathed the blade.

If internal playmaking stabilizes and the buyout market delivers reinforcement, the silence will be reframed as discipline. If postseason possessions unravel under pressure, the narrative will harden. Because when Kevin Durant is on your roster, standing still at the deadline might turn out to be a gamble with championship consequences.

The post Rockets’ biggest 2026 NBA trade deadline mistake after making 0 deals appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Tuesday night at the Toyota Center, fans witnessed more than just a regular-season clash against the Los Angeles Clippers; they saw history in the making. Durant officially recorded his 1,000th career game with 20 or more points, joining a list of names that basically serves as the Mount Rushmore of NBA buckets.

Most career games scoring 20+ points:

1,309 — LeBron James
1,134 — Karl Malone
1,122 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1,000 — KEVIN DURANT https://t.co/BSunqdhaNf pic.twitter.com/JwTD0ayr0U

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 11, 2026

Entering the night, Durant was just one game away from the four-digit milestone. He hit the mark with a signature mid-range jumper during a heated third quarter, cementing his place alongside LeBron James, Karl Malone, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

To put that in perspective, Durant is now one of only four players to ever touch that level of scoring consistency. James currently leads the pack with 1,309 such games, followed by Malone at 1,134 and Abdul-Jabbar at 1,122.

The game itself lived up to the hype of a battle between Western Conference contenders. As the contest passed the midway point of the second half, the Houston Rockets held an 89-77 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Durant led the way for Houston, crossing the 20-point threshold early to ensure the record was tucked away while the game was still very much in the balance. He received plenty of help from Alperen Sengun, who also had 20+ points, dominated the glass, and facilitated from the high post, while Jabari Smith Jr. hit a couple of timely triples to keep the defense honest.

On the other side, Kawhi Leonard tried to keep the Clippers within striking distance with 24 points of his own, but the Rockets’ defense is proving difficult to solve. Houston has developed a reputation for being stout on that end of the floor this year, and they used that energy to fuel their transition game.

The post Rockets news: Kevin Durant joins historic company with big game vs. Clippers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

NBA insider Zach Lowe pointed out that Kevin Durant’s body language, at times, hasn’t helped the team. Lowe pointed to Durant’s “sulkiness” and how his frustrations on the court are very palpable as seen in his reactions to poor entry passes from his teammates. He then added that the Rockets star’s body language has the tendency to “intimidate” younger players, of which Houston has many.

Durant, however, thinks as though this is overblown and that Lowe is simply an “outsider” who’s trying to “disrupt” the harmony in the Rockets locker room.

“Here we go rockets fans, outsiders tryna disrupt…” Durant wrote on his official account on X (formerly Twitter).

Here we go rockets fans, outsiders tryna disrupt…

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 10, 2026

As is the case with these sorts of things, the truth almost always lies somewhere in the middle. Durant’s reactions may intimidate some of his teammates, but the Rockets star simply wants his team to be better with each passing game.

Rockets continue to solve their point guard woes

As much as the Rockets would want to hand over the keys to Reed Sheppard, his shortcomings on defense has kept him on a bench role, with head coach Ime Udoka being hesitant to give him a role larger than that.

Amen Thompson was drafted as a point guard, but his lack of floor-spacing capabilities makes it difficult for him to run the offense. The Rockets are trying to solve this by utilizing a point guard by committee approach, which can lead to some night to night inconsistencies.

The post Rockets news: Kevin Durant responds to Zach Lowe’s body language claim appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, recent reporting suggests that Russell might not be in DC for long.

“We’ll try to figure out what’s best for him and for the team,” said Wizards general manager Will Dawkins, per ClutchPoints’ NBA insider Brett Siegel.

“Russell will not report to Washington and may very well hit the buyout market this upcoming week,” reported Siegel on X, formerly Twitter.

If Russell does indeed hit the buyout market, here are some destinations that could make sense for the guard.

Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have a bit of a need for bench scoring currently after sending out Anfernee Simons at the trade deadline in exchange for Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic.

Their lack of perimeter shooting off the bench was on full display on Sunday, as the team shot just 17% from beyond the arc in a blowout loss to the New York Knicks.

While Russell might not fully solve this problem, he would give Joe Mazzulla another player who can get scalding hot on any given night, and could more or less replicate the production that Simons provided for the first half of this season.

Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have played the vast majority of this season without Tyler Herro, and after the team remained dormant at the NBA trade deadline, Pat Riley would do well to look to add more offensive firepower on the buyout market.

Russell has some well-documented flaws and might not necessarily be a great fit for Erik Spoelstra’s defense-first style of play, but for a Heat team that doesn’t have a lot of perimeter shot creation outside of Norman Powell, taking a chance on Russell might be a risk worth taking.

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been on the struggle bus in recent weeks, finally getting back on track with a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday afternoon.

Reed Sheppard has hit a major sophomore slump over the last month, and Russell’s veteran experience might be just what the team needs to help reignite the offense and give them some microwave scoring off the bench, especially on nights when Sheppard’s shot isn’t falling.

The post 3 best D’Angelo Russell destinations with Wizards exit looking imminent after Anthony Davis trade appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On Sunday, the Rockets got some good news on who will be SGA’s replacement for the big game.

“NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has named Rockets center Alperen Sengun as an All-Star replacement for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Team World,” reported NBA insider Chris Haynes on X, formerly Twitter.

Sengun has been playing some solid basketball for the Rockets all season, and although there have been some questions over the last few games about his defensive effort, as well as his relationship with head coach Ime Udoka, he is still one of the best young centers in the league, and has been a key part of the Rockets’ impressive rebuild over the last few seasons.

On Sunday, Sengun will be suiting up for the “World Team” at the All-Star game in Los Angeles, as the NBA has shifted into a “USA vs World” format in a desperate attempt to wring some kind of competitive fire out of the players amid increasing fan complaints.

Sengun will have the opportunity to put his talents on full display against some of the best players from both conferences, although continued injury concerns for several stars have threatened to hang a cloud over the proceedings.

In any case, Rockets fans can see Sengun in action on Sunday night in the Intuit Dome.

The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun replaces injured Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in All-Star Game appeared first on ClutchPoints.

After the win in Oklahoma City on Saturday, Sengun took the opportunity to apologize for his actions.

“That was immature by me,” Sengun said,  per Tim McMahon of ESPN. “That was just in the moment, and I said some stuff I shouldn’t say, but I felt bad about it.”

Sengun ended up being ejected from that game against the Celtics, which was arguably the low point of the season for the Rockets thus far considering that Boston was on the second leg of a back to back and was playing without Jaylen Brown.

The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun apologizes for repeatedly calling female ref a ‘b***h’ appeared first on ClutchPoints.

They seemed to have some solutions available, too. Kevin Durant’s former teammate, Tyus Jones (a 40% 3-point shooter over the previous four seasons), Luke Kennard (44% career 3-point shooter), and veteran point guard Jose Alvarado were all moved this past week. But none, however, landed in Houston.

So while general manager Rafael Stone commented this past week that his Rockets “aren’t a developmental team,” they may now have little choice but to lean into developing their second-year guard Reed Sheppard.

The Kentucky product might be Houston’s best, and perhaps only, chance to get the perimeter shooting they need.

The problem is, Sheppard has gone as cold as his teammates of late. He’s shooting just 31% from the field over his last nine games, including a rough 20% from beyond the arc.

Still, head coach Ime Udoka remains confident.

The Rockets’ head coach called Sheppard a “great shooter” and said he will “shoot himself out” of this slump.

But can it still be called a ‘slump’? Zoom out even further, and Sheppard is shooting only 38% from the field over his last 33 games – a large enough sample size to raise some real concern.

While Stone believes the Rockets’ championship window limits their ability to spend time developing a young player like Sheppard, Houston might be best served by finding a middle ground. Without adding any help from the outside, they’ll have to create it internally.

However, Sheppard is still averaging just 24 minutes per game this season, a number that has dipped even further over the past month. There was a game last month where Sheppard scored 14 points to help force overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers, only for the guard to never see the floor at all in the extra period.

That came just one game after Sheppard scored 12 fourth-quarter points to help the Rockets erase a deficit in a come-from-behind victory over the San Antonio Spurs, making his late-game usage even more puzzling.

If Udoka believes Sheppard can shoot out of this “slump,” then he needs to be given the opportunity.

Houston is currently attempting the second fewest three-pointers in the league, while also scoring the second fewest points over their last 15 games. And while they didn’t get that boost from the deadline, they could get it from empowering their young shooter.

It would also help with spacing, too. Two of Houston’s three best players, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, are non-shooters, which has allowed defenses to sag off on the perimeter and pack the paint of late. Sheppard‘s shooting could be the key that unlocks the Rockets’ preferred spacing.

Durant even acknowledged this, saying that Sheppard could “turn us into a different team” when he plays “aggressively and knocks down shots.”

“I feel that’s what [Sheppard’s] role is starting to turn into,” Durant said. “A guy that can handle, that can come off and shoot threes, that can get us going. It’s a spark plug for us.”

And now, that role needs to become even bigger.

Especially without Adams and his elite offensive rebounding ability. Without it, the Rockets have fewer second-chance opportunities and need to be even more efficient on the offensive end.

“Reed brings another dynamic, no doubt,” Udoka said. “We want him to shoot [those walk-in threes] every time, be aggressive… I think it opens things up for us.”

But Sheppard knows he has shortcomings.

“I can’t just be a one-way player,” Sheppard admitted. “I can’t just be an offensive threat. I have to be able to guard and help the team defensively as well.”

Especially when playing for a defensive coach like Udoka. But Sheppard’s shooting is so badly needed that the Rockets may have to live with some growing pains to find ways to keep him on the floor.

While this may not be a developmental team, this development might be the Rockets’ most important key down the stretch.

The post The Rockets stayed quiet at the trade deadline. Why Reed Sheppard can’t afford to appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Rockets have a big conference matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, and prior to the game, Amen Thompson spoke about what it’s been like playing alongside Kevin Durant this season.

“I’m used to what he does. I’ve been watching him my whole life and now I get to experience it. He’s more like a big brother figure at this point,” Thompson said. “He makes it way simpler than you see in your head. . .it’s just making some plays to get to the paint, everybody is going to collapse, then kick it.”

“It’s definitely new trying to figure out, you see KD, he can score on anybody, you just want to get him the ball,” Thompson continued. “But he’s very empowering on Alpern [Sengun], me, Jabari [Smith Jr.], Reed [Sheppard], doing our things, playing basketball and not all up in the ‘I’m KD’ thing. I feel like that’s one of the greatest things about him.”

This is Durant’s first season with the Rockets after being traded in a multi-team trade in the offseason. For Thompson, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, this is his third season in the league, all with the Rockets.

It’s been Thompson’s development as to why the Rockets have been among the top teams in the West, standings-wise. He’s appeared in 50 games, all starts, at a little over 37 minutes per game. He’s averaging a career-high 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.4 steals with splits of 50.2 percent shooting from the field, 20 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 78.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

The post Amen Thompson gets brutally honest on playing with Kevin Durant appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Houston led by eight at halftime of that game, before being outscored by 20 in the second half of an eventual double-digit loss. The Rockets scored 36 points in the first quarter, then managed just 37 total in the entire second half.

So what changed? The Spurs’ defensive approach.

San Antonio dropped back in their defense of Amen Thompson, daring him to shoot. They even assigned Victor Wembanyama to guard Thompson, which allowed the defensive star to roam like a free safety. The Spurs also sagged off Alperen Sengun, while ramping up the pressure on Kevin Durant.

Since then, the formula has spread.

Houston is coming off back-to-back home losses in which it failed to reach 100 points. They were ran out of the gym by the Boston Celtics, who used the same strategy, before losing by double digits to a 24-28 Charlotte Hornets team.

The Rockets’ problem is the same one that plagued them last year: not enough outside shooting.

Houston believed that bringing in Durant alone would be enough to fix it, especially with spacing. But that spacing collapses when Thompson doesn’t command any attention on the perimeter. Defenses can leave him alone and overload the paint.

Dorian Finney-Smith was also brought in as shooting help, but has played in only 18 games and is shooting just 24% from three following a preseason injury.

And while Tari Eason is shooting a career-best 49% from distance this season, it just hasn’t been enough, as he has only 60 made threes through the Rockets’ first 50 games, missing time with multiple injuries.

Meanwhile, Sengun is shooting 36% from the floor since that Spurs loss, while Thompson is at 44%. And Reed Sheppard, who was expected to provide a boost to the outside shooting this season, is shooting a lackluster 31% in his last nine games.

Thompson has made just one three-pointer over the last 11 games, which is why no defense needs to be concerned when the point guard has the ball beyond the arc. And still, he is on pace to attempt a career-high number of threes. At times, Houston is effectively playing four-on-five in the half court.

Rockets need to improve perimeter shooting

The Rockets are attempting the second-fewest threes in the NBA, offering little threat from the perimeter. As a result, defenses are packing the paint and daring Houston to beat them from outside.

But none of this is new. Golden State employed a similar strategy to knock poor-shooting Houston out of the playoffs a year ago.

When the Rockets had a chance to address their shooting need in the offseason, they instead poured resources into Clint Capela and Steven Adams, banking on Durant to carry the load.

And when they had the chance to upgrade at this week’s trade deadline, the Rockets instead stood pat. Meanwhile, Durant’s former teammate Tyus Jones was moved (a 40% 3-point shooter over the previous four seasons), as was Luke Kennard (44% career 3-point shooter), and veteran point guard Jose Alvarado.

And the frustration now seems to be surfacing. Sengun was ejected from Wednesday’s game for cursing out an official, then found himself on the receiving end of a heated exchange with a frustrated Durant in Thursday’s loss.

While the Rockets still sit fourth in the Western Conference, they’re also scoring the second-fewest points per game since that Spurs loss, while attempting the fewest threes in the league.  Houston is just 9-8 in its last 17 games, with a road matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on deck.

The problem is, there’s no real fix available until the offseason. Houston didn’t take its shot when it had the chance, much like its perimeter offense.

The post The blueprint is out: how opponents are slowing down the Rockets’ offense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

As for the Clippers, it’s obvious that they were looking to get younger, even though they had turned their season around over the past month. Harden’s representatives gauged who would have interest in the Clippers’ guard, and one of the teams was one of his former stops, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

“Harden was interested in reuniting with the Houston Rockets, sources say, a natural fit because their point guard, Fred VanVleet, had torn his ACL before the season. But the Rockets showed little interest in their former MVP,” Shelburne wrote. “Cleveland did, however. The Cavaliers were intrigued to see how Harden could elevate their two standout big men, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and take some of the load off dynamic shooting guard Donovan Mitchell.”

If Harden was traded to the Rockets, that may have been the move that helped them, as they lack real guard depth, especially with the VanVleet injury. The only problem is who the Rockets would have had to give up in that situation, and the Clippers were definitely going to ask for several of their young players.

That move would have probably gutted most of their roster, and the Rockets already didn’t want to do that when they traded for Kevin Durant in the offseason.

So far this season, the Rockets have been able to manage without much guard depth, and Amen Thompson has filled in that role. He’s not the typical traditional guard, but he’s getting help from Alperen Sengun and Durant as well. Reed Sheppard has also stepped up in his second season in the league.

It would have been an interesting reunion for Harden and the Rockets if it happened.

The post James Harden eyed Rockets return amid Clippers trade talks appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Heat were one of the most prominently mentioned teams on the market, as they were in on Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, Miami, as has been the case for much of the past few years, could not get a deal done over the line.

Meanwhile, there is a chance that the Rockets regret their passiveness on the trade market. They are experiencing speedbumps as of late, including back-to-back double-digit losses to the shorthanded Boston Celtics and the upstart Charlotte Hornets. Their lack of a true point guard to lead the team seems to be hurting them, and the loss of Steven Adams for the season is causing damage to the team’s identity.

Only the Spurs’ refusal to get themselves involved on the trade market appears to be of their own choice. They are confident in their current core, and they already pulled off their blockbuster trade last year when they acquired De’Aaron Fox. With a 35-16 record, this confidence of theirs is well-placed.

Even without Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, the NBA trade deadline delivered

Many were waiting for the Antetokounmpo shoe to drop, but it never did. Nonetheless, All-Stars such as James Harden, Anthony Davis, Trae Young, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Darius Garland, just to name a few, switched teams, while quality players such as Ivica Zubac, Kristaps Porzingis, and Nikola Vucevic were also moved.

Some of these trades, such as the Washington Wizards’ acquisitions of Davis and Young as well as the Utah Jazz’s trade for Jackson, are geared towards making a leap next season.

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While the Rockets fell to 31-19, the Hornets continued their hot streak, winning their eighth straight game. It’s their longest winning streak since the 1998-1999 season.

Houston is 3-3 in its last six games. In those three defeats, the Rockets were held to less than 100 points.

After the game, a reporter asked coach Ime Udoka about the strategy of opposing teams to hunt Alperen Sengun in pick-and-roll coverages. Udoka gave a brief yet sharp response.

“It’s been the case since I’ve been here. So no difference there,” said Udoka.

Ime Udoka was asked about Alperen Sengun getting hunted on defense in pick and rolls in the last two games: "It's been the case since I've been here. So no different there." pic.twitter.com/s69Ul0YUQF

— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 6, 2026

While Sengun, who was snubbed in next month’s All-Star Game, has proven to be one of the most versatile players on offense, there have been some questions about his defense, citing his lack of quickness. He is also not a strong rim protector.

But as the 48-year-old Udoka said, they are not a bit fazed. The Rockets have enough defenders in Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Steven Adams, Josh Okogie, and Dorian Finney-Smith to compensate for Sengun’s weaknesses.

The 23-year-old Sengun struggled against the Hornets, scoring only seven points on 3-of-11 shooting. He had nine rebounds and five assists. He only played 28 minutes, as Udoka pulled out his starters with eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant led Houston with a game-high 31 points on top of three rebounds and five steals. He, however, had six turnovers.

The Rockets, who trailed by as much as 22 points, will return to action on Saturday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The post Rockets’ Ime Udoka gets 100% real on Alperen Sengun being targeted on defense appeared first on ClutchPoints.

On the second night of a back-to-back, it was the Green Team’s turn to embarrass the Rockets, as the C’s grabbed a season-high 65 boards against one of the tallest starting lineups in the NBA. Boston also held Houston to its lowest scoring output since Jan. 15, and the 114-93 beatdown marked the Western Conference contender’s largest margin of defeat all season.

The Celtics' season-high rebound total is 58.

The Celtics already have 52 rebounds heading into the fourth quarter.

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) February 5, 2026

So, what changed in those three months? It’s not like the Celtics got much taller or more talented in that span. In fact, the Celtics gave inexperienced guard Ron Harper Jr. the first starting nod of his entire career on Wednesday with Tatum, Brown, and part-time starter Sam Hauser sidelined.

How head coach Joe Mazzulla has improved the Celtics

But speaking of sidelines, that may be where the answer to this question lies. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has helped transform a scrappy Celtics squad into an Eastern Conference contender that ranks third in offensive team rating and eighth in defensive team rating.

Simply put, Mazzulla is pushing the right buttons night in and night out.

Wednesday was a prime example of that because Harper Jr., who’s played less than 20 games in the NBA and is on a two-way contract, excelled in his starting role. The 25-year-old finished with a career-high 11 points in 33 minutes to go along with nine rebounds. His performance surely caused a lot of unfamiliar fans to Google his name, and it was another instance of Mazzulla placing his trust in the right people at the right time.

RON HARPER JR pic.twitter.com/cw5jMJsaW1

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 5, 2026

Just 24 hours before Harper Jr. wowed the Rockets, Mazzulla made another move that helped secure a win. On Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, the fourth-year head coach moved point guard Payton Pritchard to the bench for the first time this season.

While some might expect this to throw Pritchard off his game, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year dazzled with 26 points off the pine on 60% shooting. Pritchard singlehandedly outscored the Mavericks bench and also dished out seven assists en route to a 110-100 victory.

Pritchard came off the bench again on Wednesday, recording 27 points and seven assists in 33 minutes of play. His win-at-all-costs mentality, paired with Mazzulla’s flexibility, is a recipe for success in Boston.

Why Joe Mazzulla should be Coach of the Year 

Mazzulla will never take credit for the Celtics’ winning ways, though. The five-time Eastern Conference Coach of the Month will always praise his players and staff first.

“Credit to the staff in Maine and here, getting all our young guys ready and then for us sticking together and being physical the whole f***ing game,” Mazzulla told the team in the locker room following Wednesday’s blowout victory.

Celtics player development program pic.twitter.com/s2ljia84BV

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 5, 2026

The New England native’s humble nature and refusal to prop himself up might not help him win Coach of the Year, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t deserving. Mazzulla has been instrumental in turning an 0-3 start to the season into a brilliant campaign in which the Celtics are 33-18 overall and shattering preseason projections.

The extended absence of Tatum led many to believe the C’s would falter this season, with some around the NBA world even suggesting that they tank without their go-to guy healthy. Mazzulla never bought into those low expectations. Instead, he used them as motivation.

“Everybody thinks we’re going to suck, I love it,” he told Celtics guard Derrick White back in July.

Months ago, Derrick White mentioned a call he received on his birthday from Joe Mazzulla.

He finally revealed what Mazzulla said:

“He’s like, ‘Happy birthday man…Everybody thinks we’re going to suck, I love it,’ and then hangs up.”

“And this is in July.”

@OldManAndThree pic.twitter.com/Aamo9jUtRc

— Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) January 29, 2026

Although Mazzulla isn’t the frontrunner for Coach of the Year according to some betting sites, including BetMGM, he has as good a case as anybody. Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and first-year Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott have more favorable odds, yet the former’s team didn’t have as low of expectations as the Celtics coming into the season, and the latter’s squad doesn’t own as good a record.

These two skippers have undeniably done a great job at the helm; however, neither had to reckon with a true championship core crumbling before them. The Celtics traded away two starters, had another injured, and lost multiple key pieces from the bench during the offseason.

In spite of this roster overhaul, the C’s have greatly overachieved and are in third place in the East. If the Celtics can usurp the top seed from the Pistons and sweep their season series with the Suns, Mazzulla will be the Coach of the Year in a just world.

However, the Pistons hold a five-game lead, and the Suns have been just as scrappy as the C’s. Regardless of what happens, Mazzulla doesn’t care about Coach of the Year. He just wants to create winning habits and instill confidence in his players — from the stars to the benchwarmers —  every step of the way.

“I think the best thing about this roster is each guy’s ability to impact winning in different ways,” Mazzulla said prior to a 107-79 win against the Milwaukee Bucks last Sunday. “And so it can happen whether you start, whether you come off the bench, whether you play five minutes, whether you play 20 minutes — every guy on this roster has helped us win a game.”

The post Why Celtics’ gritty win vs. Rockets boosts Joe Mazzulla’s Coach of the Year candidacy appeared first on ClutchPoints.

However, recently, NBA insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints pumped the brakes on that speculation for the time being.

“Amid rumored interest in Bulls guard Coby White and potentially looking to move Dorian Finney-Smith before the trade deadline, the Houston Rockets are said to be content with their roster as is,” reported Siegel.

“…the Rockets will only be looking to make moves with players involving minimum-like contracts,” he added.

The Rockets don’t have a ton of financial flexibility as the trade deadline approaches, so pulling off trades involving hefty amounts of salary would be a difficult task for the front office.

However, Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports did report that “Houston is also open to being a facilitator as a third team in larger deals involving other teams.”

Houston would certainly like to add some more depth in the frontcourt after Adams’ injury, which threatened to upend arguably the Rockets’ biggest strength, their offensive rebounding. Some fans are also clamoring for Houston to try to acquire a true point guard ahead of the deadline.

That role was intended to be occupied by Fred VanVleet, but the veteran guard was unfortunately injured prior to the start of the year, and the prospect of him playing this season isn’t necessarily looking likely.

However, even as currently constructed, the Rockets have a great deal of firepower, headlined by Kevin Durant, and they also have plenty of young talent with room to grow.

In any case, the NBA trade deadline is set for Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm ET. Meanwhile, the Rockets will next take the floor on Wednesday evening at home vs the Boston Celtics.

The post Rockets rumors: Why trade deadline fireworks shouldn’t be expected despite buzz appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Then, you have people who have taken it a step further and think that Durant should get a statue outside of the Warriors’ arena. That’s what Paul Pierce suggested during a recent podcast appearance.

“I’m giving him a statue of them threes he pulled late on the left side over LeBron. Give him that statue. Come on, dog give Durant the statue,” Pierce said.

Durant sees and hears everything on social media, so it’s no surprise that he found the clip of Pierce’s suggestion. It’s also no surprise that he added his own opinion.

“I passionately disagree. A lil mural outside the men’s bathroom maybe but even that may be too much. Them banners are enough if I’m being honest,” Durant wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Durant has since deleted the post, but it doesn’t seem as if he was a fan of the statue idea. The mural outside of the bathroom may have been a little dramatic as well, which is probably why he deleted the post.

There’s no doubt that the organization will honor Durant at some point down the line for what he was able to do in his short time with the team. Nobody will forget what the Warriors were doing to teams on a nightly basis back then, and how they were able to easily coast to two championships.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant downplays potential Warriors statue with ‘men’s bathroom’ option appeared first on ClutchPoints.

During an appearance on The Up and Adams Show, Adams asked Durant about his status for Super Bowl 60. He said he’s “doing better” after his recent ankle injury, but when asked if he’s good enough to “dance to Bad Bunny” during the Halftime Show, he dropped a bombshell.

“I haven’t listened to Bad Bunny before,” Durant revealed.

Kay Adams: “I want to know how you’re doing?”

Kevin Durant: “Doing better. We’ll see in the morning.”

Kay: “Well enough to like dance to Bad Bunny, [Super Bowl] halftime?”

KD: “I haven’t listened to Bad Bunny before.”

(via @UpAndAdamsShow)pic.twitter.com/d6mXJcmwqv

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 4, 2026

Either way, it doesn’t sound like Durant will be dancing during the show. He conceded that he’s “not a big dancer,” though he did like Usher’s past show.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show has been controversial

The decision to have Bad Bunny headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show hasn’t been loved by all. It has been controversial, to some degree.

An anonymous NFL player recently accused the league of “trying too hard with this international stuff,” claiming the artist “should be an American.” What they failed to note is that Bad Bunny is from Puerto Rico and is an American citizen.

Still, he remains one of the biggest artists in the world. He just took home three Grammys at the 2026 ceremony, including Album of the Year forDeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

He will not be the only marquee name at the Super Bowl. Charlie Puth is set to sing the National Anthem before kickoff, and Green Day will perform at the opening ceremony.

This is also not Bad Bunny’s first appearance during a Super Bowl Halftime Show. He previously made a cameo appearance during Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s show. It’s unknown if he plans to feature any special guests during his upcoming show.

The post Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes shocking Bad Bunny confession to Kay Adams before Super Bowl Halftime Show appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Bulls are adamant about Eason, but the Rockets continue to say no, per Marc Stein of the Stein Report.

Furthermore, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints wrote about this premise. He says that the Rockets are sticking to their guns. In essence, they are only interested in acquiring players on limited contracts.

“Amid rumored interest in Bulls guard Coby White and potentially looking to move Dorian Finney-Smith before the trade deadline, the Houston Rockets are said to be content with their roster as is,” Siegel said.

“Even though this team needs another frontcourt talent in the wake of Steven Adams’ season-ending injury, the Rockets will only be looking to make moves with players involving minimum-like contracts.”

“Tari Eason has come up in countless trade rumors, with several teams showing interest in him, but league sources have been adamant that he will not be traded before Thursday.”

Also, the word is out that the Bulls are looking to trade Coby White. The Rockets are mentioned as a potential trade partner. Meanwhile, Eason is averaging 12.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Also, the Rockets are currently 31-17, fourth in the Western Conference.

After Steven Adams went out with an ankle injury, a void has been left. Houston is relying more on Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün to score and handle the ball. However, they lack floor spacing and consistency.

The post NBA rumors: Rockets still giving Bulls the Tari Eason trade stiff-arm appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Recently, NBA insider Matt Moore detailed how the Rockets could insert themselves into the mix for disgruntled Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo if they so choose.

“…if at any point Houston calls and says ‘Phoenix picks and Sengun,’ they’re going to jump to the front of the line,” reported Moore on the Hardwood Paroxysm.

Indeed, the Rockets have some significant assets on their disposal, both in the draft and in the form of young players like Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr. While it doesn’t seem that the Rockets are looking to part ways with any of those young pieces anytime soon, they would certainly be enticing for the Milwaukee Bucks, who are looking to pick a clear direction for the future as the Antetokounmpo nears its apparent end.

Moore also imagined how a phone call might go for the Rockets and the Bucks at this juncture.

“Tell them they have until the deadline, you won’t up the offer, it’s Sengun, Jabari, and picks for Giannis and Kuzma as a baseline. Call us back if you’re serious,” he noted.

The Rockets have been a competitive team in the Western Conference all season, but it’s unclear if they have what it takes to compete with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets in a playoff setting, especially considering that both Adams and (likely) Fred VanVleet are out for the year.

In any case, the trade deadline is set for Thursday afternoon at 3:00 pm ET.

The post NBA rumors: Why insider won’t rule out Rockets from Giannis trade sweepstakes despite no apparent interest appeared first on ClutchPoints.

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Kevin Durant remains the Rockets’ engine whenever he is on the floor. Through 45 games, he is averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists. He is shooting 51.0 percent from the field and 40.5 percent from three. He still controls defenses with his length and shot-making, especially late in games. Even with injuries around him, Durant gives Houston structure and confidence. When he plays, the offense looks sharper and more composed.

Kevin Durant injury status vs. Celtics

The Rockets’ injury report makes Durant’s availability especially important as Houston looks to extend its winning streak and stay near the top of the West. Several players are listed as out or questionable, shrinking the margin for error if Durant is limited. With key rotation pieces missing, Houston faces a tougher path without its leading scorer fully available.

Boston, meanwhile, enters with momentum of its own. The Celtics are riding a three-game winning streak and will view this matchup as a chance to protect home court against one of the West’s hottest teams.

For Houston, this game is about proving its surge is sustainable. For Boston, it is an opportunity to stack wins and strengthen its hold in the East. Durant’s left ankle now sits at the center of everything.

So when it comes to the question of is Kevin Durant playing tonight vs. the Celtics, the answer leans toward yes. His status will depend on pregame evaluations. The Rockets must balance caution with their push for a fourth straight win.

Rockets injury report

Steven Adams: OUT (left ankle surgery)

Kevin Durant: PROBABLE (left ankle sprain)

Dorian Finney-Smith: OUT (left ankle injury management)

Tristen Newton: OUT (Two-way player)

Fred VanVleet: OUT (right knee ACL repair)

The post Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? Rockets vs. Celtics injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

There’s a fair debate over whether Sengun has played at an All-Star level this season. The numbers are good, but some have dipped from last year’s All-Star campaign, which has also been backed up by the eye test. He hasn’t looked like the same player for portions of this season.

A big reason has been the ankle injury he’s been battling for the past month, which makes the snub a blessing in disguise.

Sengun is better served by taking the All-Star weekend off to rest, both physically and mentally. He missed a week in early January with the injury, before rushing back to the court after Houston lost three of four games without him.

It then took another two weeks before Sengun said he finally felt 100 percent again, highlighted by his 15-for-17 shooting performance against Memphis.

But that momentum didn’t last long. Two nights later, Sengun tweaked his ankle again, leading to anemic shooting performances: 7-for-20 against San Antonio, 3-for-14 versus Atlanta, and 6-for-20 against Dallas. Despite all but two of those attempts coming from inside the arc, and most in the paint.

The lift and aggressiveness just didn’t seem to be there.

Of course, Monday’s 39-point outburst against Indiana looked like the old Sengun, but so far that stands as the exception. He’s had more games scoring fewer than 15 points than he has scoring more than 28.

But the Rockets will need him to consistently play like that 30-point scorer alongside Kevin Durant, who has provided those types of games more consistently. If Houston wants to accomplish anything this season, it’ll take both of those players in starring roles – especially Sengun, who, at 23 years old, should be the one driving the bus.

The urgency is also heightened by Houston’s backloaded schedule of back-to-backs, making it even more imperative that Sengun is healthy, rested, and ready for the stretch run.

He’s already playing a career-high number of minutes per game, and the numbers show how much rest matters for him: a 112 offensive rating on no rest, 114 rating with one day of rest, 121 rating with two days of rest, and a 126 rating with at least three days between games. Furthermore, his usage rate has gone up nearly every month, as the Rockets attempt to lean on him more. Especially with Fred VanVleet and Steven Adams missing time due to injuries.

Sengun could use the break after a turbulent first half.

And maybe the snub helps too. Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic recently told Brandon Ingram to use his All-Star omission as fuel for the rest of the season. Sengun has a chance to do the same. Rested, healthy, motivated, and ready to remind the league exactly who he is.

The post Why Alperen Sengun’s All-Star snub is blessing in disguise for Rockets appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Over the last 12 hours that the rumors have surfaced, a lot of fans have taken to social media to express their frustrations with Harden requesting yet another trade out of what appeared to be a positive situation.

One Houston Rockets fan took to Twitter on Tuesday morning, 12 hours after the reports came out, to take his jab at the 11-time NBA All-Star and 3-time NBA scoring champion.

“If James Harden never ends up winning a ring, he’ll go down with the nastiest, most empty legacy of any NBA superstar ever,” said the Rockets fan. “I’m not even mad at it. But this is exactly why Ime [Udoka] didn’t want to bring him to Houston and this is why I’m so thankful the Rockets went with Fred instead.”

If James Harden never ends up winning a ring, he’ll go down with the nastiest, most empty legacy of any NBA superstar ever. I’m not even mad at it. But this is exactly why Ime didn’t want to bring him to Houston and this is why I’m so thankful the Rockets went with Fred instead.

— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) February 3, 2026

About 20 minutes after the tweet went live, Rockets star Kevin Durant chimed in and replied.

“Who the f*ck wants to know what Roosh thinks at a time like this?” Durant replied.

Who the fucks wants to know what Roosh thinks at a time like this

— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 3, 2026

Kevin Durant is a multiple-time teammate of James Harden’s, having played together with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Brooklyn Nets. The two are also very close friends and have, on some level, always wanted to play together again after the ugly end to both of their stints with the Nets.

It should come as no surprise then to see how Durant defended his friend former teammate.

In 44 games played this season, James Harden has averaged 25.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 34.7 percent from three.

Harden was not named to the 2026 NBA All-Star team despite putting forth his highest scoring season since his last full season with the Houston Rockets back in 2019-20.

Durant was named an NBA All-Star this season, averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for the Rockets in 36.8 minutes a night.

The post Kevin Durant snaps back at fan’s James Harden “empty legacy” take appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sengun seems to be taking his All-Star snub to heart; he will miss out on the festivities (barring a last-minute injury replacement spot) despite averaging 21.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per contest. Nonetheless, all the Rockets star wants is to improve from here on out, which is what he intends to do after enduring what he called a “sloppy” month of January.

“January’s the past now. It’s the month of February so I gotta wake up. I was sloppy last month, it is a new month, and I just need to dominate every game,” Sengun told Vanessa Richardson of ESPN, via @BradeauxNBA on X (formerly Twitter).

“I was sloppy last month, it is a new month, and I just need to dominate every game.”

– Alperen Şengün in his post game press conference with Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) pic.twitter.com/OVwXyHbg7l

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) February 3, 2026

Will Rockets get reinforcements prior to trade deadline?

There is an inescapable feeling around the Houston Rockets that adding a point guard may be necessary to bring out the best in this roster. Fred VanVleet will be out for the foreseeable future with a torn ACL, and adding someone who can dictate the tempo of the game and organize the team’s offense could be helpful.

It’s not quite clear, however, just how inclined the Rockets are to do such a thing. They seem to be content with the team they have, and they have room to improve anyway. Sengun might be primed for a big month of February, especially if Kevin Durant has to miss more time due to personal reasons.

The post Rockets’ Alperen Sengun makes ‘sloppy’ admission after dropping 39 points on Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Sengun is putting up even better numbers this season than he did last, which is why many find his exclusion from the All-Star team that head-scratching. And he played with a vengeance on Monday night, putting the Indiana Pacers defense to the sword over and over again with a monster outing.

The Rockets star, in a 118-114 win over the Pacers, put up 39 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists, going 13-25 from the field. This performance could not have screamed All-Star any louder, and if there was a team that deserves two All-Stars in the West, it’s the Rockets.

There were a few nervous moments for Sengun and the Rockets in their close win over the Pacers; the Turkish international missed two free throws that could have pried the door open for a Pacers comeback. Thankfully, they hauled in the offensive board and Amen Thompson sealed the deal with a made free throw. All’s well that ends well, and Sengun has to be locked in from here on out considering how slighted he must feel.

Who should Rockets star Alperen Sengun displace on the All-Star team?

There is a chance that Sengun could still make it to the All-Star team. Devin Booker and Deni Avdija are dealing with injuries at the present, and if they were to miss out on the festivities, the Rockets star should be one of the first in line for an injury replacement slot.

There are only so many All-Star roster spots, so someone is bound to miss out, and in egregious fashion no less.

The post NBA All-Star snub Alperen Sengun puts up mammoth numbers vs. Pacers appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Durant is halfway through the 19th year of his remarkable NBA career, his first with the Rockets. He has impressed in his time with Houston so far as the team is firmly in the race for a high playoff spot.

However, he won’t be available for Houston’s showdown against Indiana. Head coach Ime Udoka provided information on why Durant isn’t playing in the game, per reporter Dustin Dopirak. He cited the events where the veteran star sustained the ankle injury in the team’s previous contest against the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 31.

“Ime Udoka says Durant tweaked his ankle when he stepped on a fan’s foot on the sideline. Said it swelled up on him. Rockets are hopeful they can just rest him this game and that should be the end of it,” Dopirak wrote.

What lies ahead for Kevin Durant, Rockets

Ime Udoka and the Rockets have the talent to remain a quality squad in the West. However, they are better with Kevin Durant’s services on the court to elevate their offense to serious contention.

Durant has enjoyed a healthy campaign throughout the 2025-26 season, appearing in 45 games so far. He is averaging 26.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. He is shooting 51% from the field, including 40.5% from beyond the arc, and 88.6% from the free-throw line.

Houston has a 30-17 record on the season, holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings. They are 0.5 games above the Minnesota Timberwolves and 1.5 games above the Los Angeles Lakers. However, they trail the Denver Nuggets by 1.5 games and the San Antonio Spurs by two games.

Following their matchup against the Pacers on Monday, the Rockets will prepare for their next contest at home. They host the Boston Celtics on Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. ET.

The post Rockets star Kevin Durant’s surprise ankle injury came from stepping on fan appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The injury occurred during a contest against Zion Williamson, and head coach Ime Udoka initially described the issue as a severely sprained ankle. Udoka later added that it was likely a Grade 3 sprain and noted that he did not think Adams would be back anytime soon.

This loss is a significant blow to a team already missing Fred VanVleet due to an ACL injury. While Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant have kept the Rockets competitive in the Western Conference, the team must now look to bolster its depth behind Clint Capela to sustain its momentum.

As a result of this vacancy in the frontcourt, Houston has reportedly registered interest in Philadelphia 76ers veteran Andre Drummond. The 76ers are currently in a position where they may need to shed salary to move below the luxury tax threshold.

While Paul George’s 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy has hindered the team’s on-court performance, it provides a unique financial opportunity. The 76ers received a $5.8 million tax credit due to the suspension, leaving them approximately $1.2 million above the tax line.

Consequently, moving a player like Drummond, who is on a $5 million expiring contract, presents the clearest path for the organization to achieve its financial goals while navigating the season without a key superstar.

Drummond has recently seen his role diminished in Philadelphia, falling behind younger contributors like Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow in the rotation. Because of this shift and the Rockets’ sudden need for interior size, a trade appears increasingly likely before the February deadline.

With only a few days left before the market closes, the synergy between Philadelphia’s financial needs and Houston’s roster requirements makes this one of the most intriguing situations to monitor in the league.

The post NBA rumors: Rockets interested in 76ers trade after Steven Adams injury appeared first on ClutchPoints.

The Rockets are set to face the Indiana Pacers next, and Durant is on the injury report with a left ankle sprain. Durant has been relatively healthy this season, which has been good news for the Rockets. If he isn’t able to play, it’ll have to be next man up for the team.

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Kevin Durant’s injury status vs. Pacers

Durant is listed as out against the Pacers, so it will have to be up to their depth to fill his absence. It’s safe to say that Durant has put the team on his back a lot this season, and head coach Ime Udoka has not been much of a fan. As much as a bucket that he is, he’s also one of the older players on the team, and Udoka doesn’t want to have to always rely on him, which is understandable.

That means other players need to step up, such as Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. The Rockets have been missing a key scorer all season with Fred VanVleet sidelined because of an ACL injury, and it’s uncertain if he’ll play later in the season if they make a postseason run.

As of now, the Rockets have to rely on what they have now, and that’s still enough to be competitive in the Western Conference. They’re currently 30-17 and fourth in the standings, and they still have enough time to make up some ground with the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs, who are above them.

The post Is Kevin Durant playing tonight? Rockets vs. Pacers injury report appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Powell has been on a tear in his maiden season with the Heat, averaging career-highs of 23.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.2 steals entering their game against the Chicago Bulls.

His former teammate, Rockets guard Fred VanVleet, could not be more excited for his selection to the midseason classic.

“Norm! Well-deserved, @Jigga2cal. One of the hardest workers I’ve ever seen,” wrote VanVleet on X.

VanVleet and Powell played together for several years on the Toronto Raptors, winning a championship in 2019. They developed a strong bond as teammates, and obviously, they have remained tight despite being on different teams now.

Powell was traded by Toronto to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2021 for Gary Trent Jr. and Rodney Hood, while VanVleet signed with the Rockets in 2023 as a free agent.

Their careers mirror each other, as both worked their way up the ladder, including playing in the G League. Powell was a second-round pick, while VanVleet went undrafted.

VanVleet was named an All-Star in 2022.

He is set to miss the entire season due to an ACL injury. He re-signed with Houston on a two-year, $50 million contract in June.

Aside from Powell, other first-timers to the All-Star Game include Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija, Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren.

The post Rockets’ Fred VanVleet sends powerful message to Norman Powell’s NBA All-Star selection appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Still, Sheppard has been on a heater seemingly all season for the Rockets in his second year in the NBA, causing some Rockets fans to refer to him as “Cocaine Curry.”

After the game on Saturday night, Mavericks guard and Stephen Curry’s former Golden State Warriors teammate, Klay Thompson, was not exactly on board with the nickname.

“I think Reed is a great shooter. I don’t think anyone should ever be in the same sentence as Steph though. That’s crazy,” said Thompson, Chancellor Johnson of Sports Illustrated on X, formerly Twitter.

Indeed, Curry is widely regarded to be in a league of his own when it comes to shooting the outside shot, having shattered essentially every three-point shooting record their is to break in the NBA.

However, Sheppard has started to come into his own as a three-point threat this season, shooting 39% from beyond the arc this year, with many of those attempts coming off the dribble and in other scenarios that make the shots tougher.

Sheppard has been forced to step into perhaps a bigger role than initially expected this year due to the torn ACL suffered by starting point guard Fred VanVleet before the season, an injury that many still feel could limit how effective Houston is able to be in the playoffs.

However, if Sheppard’s hot shooting is able to carry over into the postseason, that would certainly provide a big lift for the Rockets.

In any case, Houston is set to next take the court on Monday evening on the road against the Indiana Pacers.

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Despite weathering some growing pains, specifically from 3-point range, the No. 1 overall pick is displaying eye-opening poise. He did so again in Saturday night’s game against the Houston Rockets. Squaring off with future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant in the third quarter, Flagg displayed excellent body control and footwork before sinking a fadeaway. The teenager is not starstruck. He believes in his game, and so do his teammates.

Cooper Flagg spins and scores OVER Kevin Durant

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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 1, 2026

Ultimately, the highlight came in a 111-107 loss. Flagg was magnificent just the same, scoring a game-high 34 points on 13-of-25 shooting with 12 rebounds, five assists and one block. This offensive explosion comes two nights after his historic outing versus the Charlotte Hornets. He has 83 points in his last two contests, and the Mavericks have lost them both.

Brutality reigns supreme in Dallas right now. Cooper Flagg is doing everything in his power to brighten the gloomy skies, however. Hours after former Mavs player Jamal Mashburn claimed he would rank the former Duke star sixth among the 2026 NBA Draft prospects, the talented forward displayed his superb skills.

Through all the adversity, Flagg continues to improve. That bodes well for his future. Although he is obviously upset about Dallas losing its fourth game in a row, the time will come when he can take pride in besting Durant one-on-one.

The Mavericks (19-30) will try to get back into the win column when they host the Boston Celtics (30-18) on Tuesday.

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Ryan Nembhard injury status vs. Rockets

Given Ryan Nembhard is probable on the injury report, the assumption is he will be suiting up against the Rockets. The two-way rookie has taken on a backup role in the backcourt for the Mavericks, as he’s been a consistent spark off of head coach Jason Kidd’s bench this season.

Nembhard is averaging 7.0 points on 44.7% shooting, including 38.3% from deep, and 4.9 assists per game this season. He scored a season-high 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting, including four threes in a 131-121 win against the Nuggets on December 1.

The Mavs will look to bounce back from their 123-121 loss to the Hornets, and snap a four-game skid, as they’re 5-5 in their last 10 games, including a 118-105 loss to the Timberwolves, and a 114-97 win against the Knicks last Monday. 

Still, when it comes to the question is Ryan Nembhard playing tonight vs. the Rockets, the answer is yes.

Mavericks injury report

Anthony Davis — Out — Left finger sprain

Dante Exum — Out — Right knee surgery

Kyrie Irving — Out — Left knee surgery

Dereck Lively II — Out — Right foot surgery

Ryan Nembhard — Probable — G League – two-way

Rockets injury report

Steven Adams — Out — Left ankle surgery

Fred VanVleet — Out — Right knee; ACL repair

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VanVleet has a $25 million player option for the 2026-27 campaign, but if he signs an extension, Houston can aggregate his salary in a blockbuster trade for a star. There is considerable pressure on management to capitalize on Kevin Durant’s remaining years of stardom, and despite being a 2019 NBA champion and former All-Star, this version of VanVleet may not maximize the Rockets’ championship aspirations. What people think on this matter is irrelevant, however.

The former Wichita State pillar has an implied no-trade clause, and he sees himself as a “Rocket for life,” according to Chron’s Michael Shapiro. Furthermore, some people in VanVleet’s camp reportedly believe he could transition to Houston’s front office after retiring. Interestingly, the undrafted talent decided to address the first part of Shapiro’s story.

“There’s not a quote from me anywhere in the article,” Fred VanVleet responded to a user on X. While it is true that Shapiro did not directly quote him, fans are still going to speculate about No. 5’s future with the franchise. But he is focused on his recovery and doing what he can to help nudge the team forward.

Amen Thompson is manning point guard duties in VanVleet’s absence. He entered the NBA with natural playmaking skills, so the Rockets can get by with him in that role for now. Once the playoffs begin, however, it may become apparent that Houston requires more offensive firepower.

Assuming he survives the Feb. 5 trade deadline like most expect, VanVleet will have a couple more months to complete his rehab before the postseason begins.

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Capela represented the Hawks for five seasons from 2020 to 2025, helping the franchise with productive performances throughout three playoff runs. This included a historic run to the East Finals in 2021, the franchise’s best in the modern NBA era.

Throughout 330 total appearances with Atlanta, Capela averaged 11.8 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He shot 59.9% from the field and 56.7% from the free-throw line. The veteran center also finished sixth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2021.

Before tip-off, Hawks fans thanked him for his services upon his return as the team honored him with a tribute video. Capela certainly appreciated the gestures from the home crowd he used to represent.

The Hawks honored Clint Capela with a tribute video before tonight’s Hawks-Rockets matchup

pic.twitter.com/InJZLzDp4z

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 30, 2026

How Clint Capela, Rockets played against Hawks

Clint Capela will always be grateful for his time with the Hawks. In the meantime, he helped the Rockets coast to a convincing 104-86 win over his former squad.

The game started out as a close affair as Houston only led 43-42 at halftime. Despite this, the Rockets came alive with a 35-24 display in the third quarter. Atlanta never recovered from this as the visitors took control of the momentum and never looked back.

Five players scored in double-digits for Houston in the win, including Capela. He finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and a steal. He shot 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. Kevin Durant led the team with 31 points and five rebounds, Jabari Smith Jr. came next with 14 points and eight rebounds, Reed Sheppard had 13 points and four assists, while Josh Okogie provided 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Houston improved to a 29-17 record on the season, holding the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings. They are above the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves while trailing the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs.

The Rockets will look forward to their next matchup, being at home. They host the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 31 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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Jalen Johnson, Alperen Sengun playing status for Hawks vs Rockets

Given their questionable designations on the injury report, there is currently some doubt as to whether or not Johnson and Sengun will be able to suit up on Thursday night. Perhaps contributing to their questionable status is the fact that both the Hawks and Rockets are on the second leg of a back to back, with Atlanta having won against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, while Houston lost at home to the San Antonio Spurs.

Joining Johnson on the Hawks’ injury report is big man Onyeka Okongwu, who is out after taking a vicious elbow from Jaylen Brown on Wednesday. Zaccharie Risacher and Kristaps Porzingis will also remain out of the lineup.

Meanwhile, Rockets wings Dorian Finney-Smith and Tari Eason will miss this contest with various injuries.

Overall, if Johnson is unable to go, the Hawks will be woefully shorthanded in the frontcourt, and will likely have to rely heavily on players like recent signee Christian Koloko to play big minutes.

The Rockets will also be depleted on the wings in this one, and may have to rely on Clint Capela to have a big game in his return to Atlanta, considering that Steven Adams was recently ruled out for the year due to an ankle injury.

In any case, the Hawks and Rockets are slated to tip off at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday night from downtown Atlanta.

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Amen Thompson with the MEAN THROWDOWN

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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 29, 2026

Earlier in the matchup, another highlight showed Alperen Sengun hitting the 22-year-old on a perfectly timed cut, which he finished through traffic for a tough and-one jam. The sequence reinforced the on-court chemistry between the two and stood out as a bright spot in the Rockets’ 111–99 loss to the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.

Amen Thompson POWERS through for the and-1 slam

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— Rockets Nation (@RocketsNationCP) January 29, 2026

From there, the game itself became a study in contrast between flashes of dominance and late-game frustration. Houston had a slight advantage going into the fourth quarter, but the Spurs’ defensive adjustments led to a decisive change in momentum. Victor Wembanyama anchored the shift, overwhelming the paint and altering possessions on both ends while fueling an 11–0 run that flipped the contest. Wembanyama finished with 28 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks, numbers that reflected just how much control the Spurs seized down the stretch.

Despite the outcome, Thompson remained the Rockets’ most dynamic presence for much of the night. He consistently pressured the rim through the first three quarters, attacking in transition and cutting decisively off the ball. His poster dunk over Kornet later in the third quarter briefly pushed the team ahead and crystallized the leap the third-year wing is making as a physical force. Earlier, his chemistry with Sengun surfaced again on a sharp cut that resulted in a tough and-one finish at the rim.

He finished with a team-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but the closing stretch exposed some growing pains. As the Spurs packed the paint, the Rockets’ offense slowed, and Thompson became more deferential rather than attacking. Even so, the night reinforced his elite athletic ceiling, with late-game consistency remaining the next step.

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ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel reported that Sengun limped to the locker room after sitting for a while on the bench. Sengun took a shot when he landed on the foot of Devin Vassell. Siegel noted that the talented center missed time earlier in the season due to an ankle injury.

Thankfully, Sengun was quickly cleared and returned to the game.

“Good news for the Rockets and Sengun, as the big man is back in the game and will finish this one out against San Antonio,” said Siegel.

The Rockets, however, fell to the Spurs, 111-99. San Antonio avenged its loss to Houston, 111-106, in the same venue last week.

The 23-year-old Sengun finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. He struggled from the field, missing 12 of his 20 attempts. He did have an ankle-breaking highlight against Victor Wembanyama, which wowed the crowd.

Houston dropped to 28-17, while San Antonio improved to 32-15.

The tables were turned as well in the matchup between Sengun and Wembanyama. In the Spurs’ loss to the Rockets last week, it was Wembanyama who struggled from the field, shooting 5-of-21 for 14 points.

With the season nearing its halfway point, the Rockets cannot afford to lose Sengun, who has been the team’s anchor on both ends. He has meshed well with Kevin Durant despite early concerns that having two high-usage stars could be problematic.

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Durant, playing in his 19th season, is averaging over 26 points per game. As usual, his propensity to drill shots from beyond the arc is a big part of his offensive game.

During the first quarter on Wednesday, Durant drained a trey, putting the Rockets up seven early. That was his 2,291st triple made over his illustrious career, moving him into 10th place all-time.

History for KD!

With this three Kevin Durant has moved to 10th all-time in total threes made
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— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 29, 2026

He passed former Toronto Raptors legend Vince Carter in doing so. Even though, it took him almost 400 less games to reach that number.

The Rockets held a 62-54 lead at halftime of the showdown with the Spurs. Durant had 13 points at the break. KD came out firing to start the second half, nailing another triple to help build a 10-point lead.

The Rockets are primed to make a deep run in the playoffs. Led by Durant, the team is deep and very talented. Alperen Sengun is among the rising stars in the game. Third-year forward Amen Thompson has taken a big leap forward this year. While Reed Shepard continues to shine off the bench.

But this team might still be a piece away from contending with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Maybe that is why rumors have swirled that the Rockets are among those potentially interested in trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If the Rockets were able to pull that off, a Giannis-Durant duo would certainly be formidable.

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“Houston Rockets center Steven Adams has undergone season-ending surgery on his left ankle, sources tell ESPN,” Schefter wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Adams suffered the injury against the New Orleans Pelicans while he was guarding Zion Williamson at the rim. He slid over to help, and after he jumped to contest the shot from Williamson, he landed and grabbed his left ankle. Head coach Ime Udoka noted around the time that Adams would be out indefinitely because of a sprained ankle.

“Severely sprained ankle,” Udoka said via ESPN’s Michael C. Wright. “I think [it’s] a Grade 3 or so, but still gathering information, opinions. But I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.”

It looks like Adams’ injury was serious enough that he had to get surgery, and now the Rockets will have to rely on their depth for the rest of the season. Clint Capela will now slot in as the backup center, as the Rockets were able to sign him in the offseason.

This is just another blow to the Rockets’ season, as Adams is the second key player who will miss extended time for the team. Fred VanVleet suffered an ACL injury before the season started, but the team has kept the door open for him to reportedly return sometime later in the year or in the postseason.

Despite the injuries, the Rockets have still been one of the better teams in the Western Conference, and have been led by Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant.

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“I think there are a couple teams like that, for sure, but Houston is up there,” Wembanyama said of the toughness with which their divisional rivals play. “The metrics say it in terms of offensive rebounds, turning people over; their game plan in general.”

Physicality — or their trouble with it in the Spurs case — has become a theme over the last several weeks. Their most recent game ended in a loss to a rugged New Orleans Pelicans squad that’s at the bottom of the conference.

A week before that, the Oklahoma City Thunder unleashed their brand of basketball in a rout of San Antonio. That came off the heels of an outing in which the Minnesota Timberwolves, namely Julius Randle, refused to give Wemby any breathing room.

“Houston’s another team that plays just as physical as them, maybe even more. So, we’ve got to be ready for that,” San Antonio guard Devin Vassell said after the loss to New Orleans.

Spurs talk mindset regarding physicality

It may sound counterintuitive at first, but the Spurs insist whatever issues they may have with toughness start with their brains.

“Yeah, it’s mental, but it’s not like we lack the will to do it,” Wembanyama responded when asked specifically if the issues were physical or between the ears.

“It’s recognition and sometimes in our job you lose sight of what actually pays off. And it’s easier to lose sight of what pays off if it’s something labeled as hard, like physicality,” the Spurs leading scorer continued.

The Rockets, like the Pelicans, Thunder and Timberwolves before them, can throw out long, rangy line-ups against the Spurs. It’s added to the difficulty that Stephon Castle’s crew has experienced when quality opponents have clamped down.

“I think just continue to play our game. With the guards we have, we’re super dynamic, so I feel like we can play against a lot of different lineups and especially not give up anything defensively,” the reigning Rookie of the Year shared. “So, yeah, offensively just sticking to the same thing that we’ve been doing. Just playing our game and then forcing the defense to have to stop it.”

San Antonio controlled most of what turned into a 111-106 loss in Houston eight days before this next meeting.

"Same as usual, blowing 15-plus point leads…We're all putting our minds into it.

But, we're conscious it is a problem."

-Victor Wembanyama following another #Spurs blown big lead, this one 16 in Houston in a 111-106 loss#PorVida#GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/ziJSkRoYnq

— Hector Ledesma (@HectorLedesmaTV) January 21, 2026

“We have a talented basketball team and we might rely on it too much sometimes. Our talent bails us out often, but it’s shots,” Wemby revealed. “There’s some days where you can’t make shots, so you have to be able to impact the game in every other areas.”

Seething from the Pelicans loss, which dropped the Spurs to 4-4 in their last eight, Wembanyama is eyeing another shot at the Rockets.

“We had two days where we set things straight between us in the video room. We’re ready.”

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