Kevin Durant Discusses Late-Game Moment with Amen Thompson

HOUSTON, Texas — Kevin Durant addressed a recent late-game moment during the Houston Rockets‘ victory over the Orlando Magic this past Sunday. In an interview on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams, Durant clarified why he decided to go ‘rogue’ during a critical play involving teammate Amen Thompson.

Durant explained that, during a key possession, Thompson approached to set up a screen. However, Durant waved him off, opting to isolate against Orlando’s Tristan da Silva in a one-on-one matchup. ‘Once I go rogue like that… it was like, alright I got it now,’ Durant said, referring to his decision-making towards the end of the game.

He continued, ‘We’re a new team, this is our first 15 games with each other. They haven’t seen me go rogue that often. But at the end of the game, I kind of felt it, so I took him off the dribble.’ Durant also expressed confidence that his teammates, including Thompson, are learning to read each other’s cues on the court.

In the game against the Magic, Durant finished with impressive stats, tallying 35 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one block. He shot 13-for-24 from the field and went a perfect 7-for-7 at the free-throw line over 45 minutes. Thompson contributed with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists in his 39 minutes of play.

The Rockets have been on a roll, extending their win streak to five games with a 10–3 record. This success has been largely attributed to Durant’s ability to score and create shots, along with Thompson’s defensive skills and playmaking ability, and the growth of Alperen Sengun.

As Durant enters his first season with the Rockets, he has taken on a leadership role, guiding a roster that has been revamped around his experience and complemented by Sengun’s emerging responsibilities and Thompson’s development. The late-game scenario against Orlando was a testament to the team’s learning process as they work to forge their early-season identity.

The Rockets will next face off against a challenging opponent on Prime Video, with their record at 11–3, at 9:30 p.m. ET. This matchup leads into a tough four-game road trip, highlighted by Durant’s first return to Phoenix since his offseason trade from the Suns. Phoenix currently stands at 9–6 ahead of the reunion.