Kevin Durant wasn’t in the mood to make his own shot count the story after the Houston Rockets handled the Boston Celtics 109-93 on Tuesday night.
Instead, the veteran forward bristled when a reporter brought up his limited volume, making it clear he wanted the focus on Houston’s win and not his box score. Durant scored 12 points on eight field goal attempts, and it was the third time in the Rockets’ first eight games that he finished with fewer than 10 shots.
When reporter Varun Shankar asked about the reduced volume, Durant fired back: “We won the game. Why are you singling me out?”
Durant asked. “Jabari had 30 last game, he only had 14 tonight.
Are you going to talk about his variety? Do you have a solo cam on me?
We won the basketball game.”
“We won the game. Why are you singling me out?”
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) November 3, 2026
KD in a light back and forth with @ByVarunShankar when asked about his lack of shots.
For context, tonight was the third game this season he took less than 10 shots.
“Jabari had 30 last game, he only had 14 tonight. Are you… pic.twitter.com/RMwwf2gDen
After Shankar said the question was not meant as criticism, Durant didn’t budge. “Yes you do.”
The exchange fit the way Durant has operated early in the 2026-27 season. He has leaned into Houston’s team-first rhythm, taking a backseat at times as the Rockets keep the ball moving and spread the offense around under Ime Udoka.
Alperen Sengun led Houston with 26 points against Boston, a reminder of how balanced the Rockets have become offensively. That balance has helped Houston surge to 7-1, good for sole possession of first place in the Western Conference.
Durant’s stance after the game was simple: the win mattered, not the number of shots. So far, Houston’s formula is working.
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Alperen Sengun Is Giving Rockets Fans A New Offensive Debate
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What makes the conversation interesting now is how the roles are starting to blur. Sengun has piled up big assist nights, including a 10-assist game against the Celtics, and he has been turning those flashes into something more consistent. VanVleet remains important because of the way he manages possessions and limits turnovers, but Houstons offense is increasingly asking a different question: when the ball is in the frontcourt, who is really setting the table? [Read more 🡒]
Jabari Smith Jr Just Opened A Bigger Option For The Rockets
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For a Rockets team that already values his shooting and length, the added versatility matters. Smiths ability to hold up against bigger opponents while still contributing on the glass gives Houston a different look when the frontcourt gets thin, and it opens the door to lineups that can stay competitive without sacrificing size, spacing or effort. [Read more 🡒]
Kevin Durants Quiet Night Leaves Rockets With A New Balancing Act
Kevin Durants first game in a Rockets uniform against the Celtics turned into a low-volume night by his standards, even in a comfortable 109-93 win. The veteran forward played in his 1,209th NBA game and finished with 12 points on 5 of 6 shooting, a line that reflected efficiency more than the kind of heavy usage Houston has usually associated with him.
Ime Udoka said he spoke with Durant about finding the right balance between staying involved in the offense and being more aggressive in looking for his own shot. It is the sort of adjustment the Rockets will keep monitoring as they try to blend Durants scoring instincts with a team structure that has to keep everyone engaged. [Read more 🡒]