Kevin Durant’s Role Is Shifting in Houston - And Alperen Sengun Is Rising
Kevin Durant’s time in Phoenix may not have ended with a ring, but there was never any question about who the focal point was. Every coach who passed through made sure the offense ran through him, and even Devin Booker - a bona fide star in his own right - was content to let Durant take the last shot on most nights.
But in Houston, things are different. Very different.
The Rockets didn’t bring Durant in to be the face of the franchise - they brought him in to complete the picture. And while Durant is still producing and defending at a high level, the team’s gravitational pull is clearly shifting toward a new center of gravity: Alperen Sengun.
Sengun Is the New Engine
If it wasn’t obvious before, it became crystal clear during Houston’s recent showdown with the Denver Nuggets - a game that had all the energy and intensity of a playoff matchup. Durant was everywhere on defense, contesting Nikola Jokic at the rim and making life difficult for the reigning MVP. It was one of those vintage Durant performances that doesn’t always show up in the box score but absolutely impacts the game.
But despite Durant’s contributions, the spotlight wasn’t on him - and it wasn’t even on Jokic. It was Sengun’s night. The 23-year-old Turkish center matched Jokic with his own brand of versatile playmaking and interior dominance, finishing with a triple-double and showing exactly why he’s become the heartbeat of this young Rockets squad.
Udoka’s Call Says It All
With the game on the line in regulation, Rockets head coach Ime Udoka had a decision to make. Just over six seconds on the clock, tie game. And despite his long-standing relationship with Durant - and despite Durant’s track record of delivering in crunch time - Udoka called Sengun’s number.
The play didn’t work. The possession was rushed, the shot was off, and the Rockets eventually lost in overtime. But the message was loud and clear: this is Sengun’s team now.
That moment would’ve been unthinkable a year ago. If Durant were still in Phoenix and the Suns were in that same situation, the ball would’ve been in his hands.
No question. But Houston is building something different - a team that’s not just centered around a single superstar, but one that’s evolving around the growth of its young core.
Durant’s New Reality
None of this is an indictment of Durant. At 37, he’s still defending at an elite level and contributing in ways most players his age simply can’t.
He’s doing exactly what the Rockets brought him in to do - fill gaps, provide leadership, and deliver when it counts. But he’s no longer the undisputed first option.
And that’s a tough pill for any all-time great to swallow.
We’ve seen LeBron James slowly adjust to a similar reality in Los Angeles - still the face of the franchise, but no longer the engine every night. Durant’s transition is happening faster, and maybe a little more abruptly than expected.
And here’s the kicker: if the Rockets do go all the way, there’s a real chance Durant’s contributions will be overshadowed by the narrative around Sengun and the team’s young stars. That’s the nature of the game. The spotlight moves fast - especially when there’s a new star rising.
The Rockets Are Rolling - With Sengun at the Helm
There’s no drama here, no locker room tension, no signs of Durant pushing back. But the shift is happening.
Sengun isn’t just a promising young center anymore - he’s the guy. The one Udoka trusts with the final shot.
The one the offense runs through. The one drawing comparisons to Jokic not just for his style, but for his impact.
Durant is still a major piece of the puzzle. He’s still capable of taking over games and locking down on defense.
But in Houston, he’s not the sun everything orbits around anymore. That title now belongs to Alperen Sengun.
And the Rockets? They’re just getting started.