Rockets’ offense sputters again despite Kevin Durant’s arrival
rockets-offense-sputters-again-despite-kevin-durants-arrival
The Houston Rockets spent last summer landing Kevin Durant to solve the scoring problems that doomed them in the 2025 playoffs. Two games into this year’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the same concerns persist.
Durant sat out Game 1 with a knee injury, then returned for Game 2 and posted 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting. While efficient on paper, the forward faced constant double-teams and matched his playoff career high with nine turnovers.
Houston has actually dominated possessions, attempting 44 more shots than Los Angeles over the two contests, yet the club has been outscored by 16 overall and has not reached 100 points in either outing.
Supporting cast struggles
Alperen Şengün, Jabari Smith Jr. and rookie Reed Sheppard have all labored to finish plays, combining for poor shooting lines that have stalled the offense. Şengün acknowledged the issue after Game 2.
“I definitely need to be aggressive when I get the ball to the middle. I’m just missing so many easy shots,” he said. “I need to get back to who I am and dominate the paint—help KD a little bit and make my teammates better as well. I’m not missing from long distance. I’m missing from under the rim. I’ve got to make those.”
Spacing remains tight. The Rockets hit just 7-of-29 from three-point range in Game 2, and Sheppard—Houston’s top perimeter shooter during the regular season—logged only 11 minutes as he continues to earn head coach Ime Udoka’s confidence on defense.
Limited two-way shooting options
Roster balance is also in question. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith was acquired to provide two-way spacing but has not looked comfortable since returning from ankle surgery. Tari Eason has shown flashes—going 7-for-7 in Game 1—only to shoot 4-for-14 in Game 2.
Durant was expected to raise the club’s ceiling, and that possibility remains. For now, Houston faces the same offensive hurdles that ended last season.
Source: Hoops Wire
