Durant blames himself as Rockets drop double-OT opener to Thunder
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant pointed to two late miscues as the difference Tuesday night, after the Houston Rockets fell 125-124 to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in double overtime at Paycom Center.
Making his Rockets debut, the 37-year-old scored 23 points on 9-of-16 shooting but missed the front end of two free throws with 9.5 seconds left in regulation and then fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 11 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Gilgeous-Alexander knocked down both shots, giving Oklahoma City the lead for good. Durant fouled out with 2.3 seconds to play.
“I missed the free throws, and I fouled somebody at the end,” Durant said. “I think those two plays are the reason we lost.”
The Thunder’s season-opening celebration included a ring ceremony and banner raising for last year’s title. Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points and provided the game-tying 16-footer with 2.6 seconds left in regulation after Durant’s split at the line.
Durant nearly cost Houston again with 2.2 seconds left in the first overtime when he signaled for a timeout the Rockets did not have. Officials did not see the request, avoiding a technical foul. Crew chief Zach Zarba confirmed the non-call in a post-game pool report.
Despite the rocky ending, Houston flashed offensive potential. Center Alperen Sengun poured in a career-high 39 points, hitting 5 of 7 from beyond the arc while adding 11 rebounds and seven assists. The Rockets’ starting lineup averaged 82.2 inches in height, the tallest group used in a season opener since Elias Sports Bureau began tracking starters in 1970-71.
Durant started at guard for the first time since 2009, joining Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Sengun and Steven Adams. Thompson battled late-game calf cramps, according to coach Ime Udoka.
“He’s making our jobs easy,” Sengun said of Durant. “With more time we’re going to get better and better together.”
Source: ESPN
