The Houston Rockets kicked off the new year in style on New Year’s Day, cruising to a 120-96 road victory over the Brooklyn Nets. The win marked Houston’s fourth straight, including three blowouts, as they continue to solidify their status as legitimate Western Conference contenders.
Brooklyn was severely shorthanded, missing star Michael Porter Jr. and key starters Egor Demin and Terance Mann. This thrust rookies Danny Wolf and Drake Powell into the lineup—promising prospects, but clearly raw. The Rockets exploited the inexperience, building a comfortable lead and never looking back.
Durant’s Hilarious Moment with Rookie Danny Wolf
One of the night’s viral highlights came courtesy of a wild miss from Wolf on a three-point attempt. The ball ricocheted wildly… and smacked Kevin Durant square in the face before going out of bounds.
Durant, recovering quickly, delivered an instant classic quip (via Bleacher Report on X): “That’s a trash a miss, Wolf!”**
The moment perfectly encapsulated the Rockets’ dominance and Durant’s unflappable demeanor—even when taking a basketball to the face.
Durant and Rockets Rolling
With Alperen Şengün sidelined for two of the four wins, Durant has been Houston’s rock. On Thursday, the 37-year-old posted 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, continuing his ageless mastery.
The Rockets have turned around a pre-Christmas slump (losses to struggling Kings and Clippers) into a statement streak. Their offense is clicking, defense is suffocating, and Durant’s leadership—on and off the court—is the glue.
Houston fans: 2026 is off to a roaring start. KD’s still got it—and the jokes too.
What’s your favorite Durant moment this season? The quip or the playmaking?