When Kevin Durant walked into the Toyota Center for the first time as a Houston Rocket, it didn’t just feel like a debut — it felt like a statement.
The 37-year-old scoring machine, coming off a gold medal and one of the most dramatic offseasons in recent memory, wasted no time making it clear: the Slim Reaper’s still got it.
In just 23 minutes of preseason action, Kevin Durant dropped 20 points on a ridiculous 7-of-10 shooting, including a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, leading Houston to a 140-127 win over the Utah Jazz. It wasn’t the volume — it was the efficiency. After missing his first three shots, KD caught fire, drilling seven straight buckets and putting on a vintage clinic of pure shot-making.
By the third quarter, it was déjà vu: that smooth mid-range pull-up, that signature lean-back fade, defenders hopelessly reaching as the crowd erupted.
“It’s a different feel when you’re underneath the lights, the whistle, and a real game,” Durant said postgame. Different feel indeed — because Houston’s offense suddenly looked scary.
The chemistry between Kevin Durant and Alperen Şengün was the story of the night. The pick-and-pop game looked seamless, with Şengün’s vision and Durant’s timing creating instant mismatches. Add in Amen Thompson’s explosive 19-7-6 stat line, and Houston’s new “Big Three” might be forming right before our eyes.
No Fred VanVleet, no problem. The Rockets’ offense flowed through Durant and their young core — fast, unselfish, and flat-out fun to watch.
This was more than a preseason win. It was a glimpse into a future where Houston’s young guns have a Hall of Fame mentor — and a legitimate chance to make playoff noise.
Durant’s debut wasn’t loud or over-the-top. It was smooth, effortless, and deadly efficient — just like it’s always been.
And as the Rockets prepare to open the regular season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant’s old team, one thing’s already clear:
Houston’s ready. The Slim Reaper is back. And the NBA better take notice.
