The Houston Rockets aren’t trying to build their entire game plan around a 37-year-old Kevin Durant - but when he’s playing like this, it’s hard not to lean on him. Head coach Ime Udoka made it clear: the team can’t depend solely on Durant to close out games and protect leads.
Still, Friday night’s 111-104 win over the Pistons was a reminder that Durant isn’t your typical 37-year-old veteran hanging on for one last playoff run. He’s still very much a force - and he showed it in a big way.
Midway through the second quarter, Durant caught a pass from Amen Thompson, turned the corner, and powered past Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson for a thunderous dunk. It wasn’t quite a poster - but it was close enough to send a message.
Durant might be in his 18th NBA season, but he’s not coasting. He’s attacking.
And on that play, he didn’t just beat a defender - he beat Father Time, too.
For Amen Thompson, it was probably a surreal moment - assisting a future Hall of Famer as he dunked on his twin brother. The 22-year-old twins are carving out promising careers of their own, but Durant reminded everyone why he’s been at the top of the league for nearly two decades. He finished the night with a game-high 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, adding seven boards, three assists, a steal, and a block - a complete performance that showcased his still-elite two-way impact.
KEVIN DURANT SLAM 💥
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 24, 2026
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Durant’s presence does more than just fill up the box score. It elevates Houston’s entire outlook.
Yes, the Rockets are currently sitting fourth in the Western Conference at 27-16 - not quite the perch they held in 2025 - but this version of the team feels more playoff-ready. More dangerous.
And a lot of that comes down to the confidence Durant instills, both on the floor and in the locker room.
He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s setting a tone. For young players like the Thompsons, he’s a living, breathing blueprint of how to sustain greatness. For the Rockets, he’s the difference between being a fun young team and being a legitimate threat in the West.
So while Udoka is right to caution against overreliance, it’s clear that when the Rockets need a spark, Durant is still the guy who can light the match. And if he keeps playing like this, Houston’s ceiling isn’t just higher - it might need a whole new roof.