Rockets Season Opener Review: Sengun Carried the Team Fighting Until the Last Moment, Durant Vanished in Crucial Moments

On October 22nd Beijing time, in the NBA regular season opener, the Rockets lost 124-125 to the Thunder in double overtime. Following the game, Sports Illustrated provided an analysis of the Rockets’ season opener —

1. Sengun carried the team fighting until the very end

Sengun was the standout player for the Rockets that evening, continuously holding the team together until the game’s conclusion.

After a productive offseason, Sengun finally showcased a game with significant improvement and comprehensive growth. This Rockets big man dominated throughout the entire game, playing 49 minutes and recording a full stat line of 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists.

Surprisingly, Sengun’s three-point shooting was quite impressive. Previously known as a “non-shooter,” this Turkish rising star suddenly displayed a remarkable shooting touch, making 5 of his 8 attempts from beyond the arc.

Based on his leadership in the season opener, Sengun is definitely poised to have an extraordinary 2025-26 campaign.

2. Durant Went Missing in the Critical Moments

In the much-anticipated Rockets debut, Kevin Durant performed well in the first three quarters, providing strong support for the team. However, in the later stages of the game, this new Rockets star completely “disappeared” and failed to carry the offensive load.

After scoring 17 points in the first half, Durant suddenly became somewhat passive for the rest of the game. From the fourth quarter through both overtimes, he only managed 6 points on 3 shots, making 2 of them. More critically, he committed the game’s most crucial turnover — fouling Alexander with just 2.3 seconds left, allowing the Thunder to seal the win at the free-throw line.

Although Durant had the chance to turn things around late in the game, now he and the Rockets must look ahead, treating this season opener loss as a lesson and an opportunity to regroup.

3. Amen Thompson Cramped Out, Rockets Face Injury Concerns

For the Rockets, tonight’s loss was undoubtedly heartbreaking, but Amen cramping out also gave the team a scare.

With 2 minutes and 38 seconds left in the first overtime, Amen left the game due to calf discomfort and returned to the bench. He did not return afterward, forcing Udoka to put Shepherd in as the point guard.

Previously, VanVleet was confirmed out for the season due to an ACL tear. The Rockets had high hopes for Thompson to be a reliable on-court leader. Now, the team can only hope this star wing’s calf issue is not serious.

Amen contributed 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists in the game, and his sudden exit made it even tougher for the Rockets to contain Alexander defensively in the crucial moments.