With just 22 games remaining in the 2025-26 regular season, the Houston Rockets (currently 38-22, firmly entrenched as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference) are in prime position for a deep playoff run—and Kevin Durant remains their clearest path to individual hardware. The 37-year-old superstar, acquired in the offseason, has been a revelation, averaging 26.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on elite 51-40-89 shooting splits across the campaign. His scoring efficiency and clutch play have carried Houston’s offense, especially amid Alperen Şengün’s dip from early All-NBA buzz.
Şengün (20.5 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 6.3 APG) earned All-Star honors alongside Durant—the first Rockets duo since Harden and Westbrook in 2020—but has faded from All-NBA contention. Durant’s the lone Rocket with a realistic shot, and if the season ended today, he’d slot onto the All-NBA Third Team in most projections. Voter tendencies favor a blend of individual production and team success—standings carry weight, but elite stats and impact aren’t ignored. Houston’s top-three standing in a loaded West (trailing only OKC and San Antonio) gives KD a strong boost.
Here’s a current snapshot of the All-NBA landscape (mid-March 2026 projections, blending recent expert trackers, performance trends, and the 65-game eligibility rule):
All-NBA First Team
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) – MVP frontrunner, elite scoring/leadership on a dominant No. 1 seed.
- Nikola Jokić (DEN) – Triple-double machine, still dominant despite some missed games.
- Cade Cunningham (DET) – Breakout star powering the East’s top seed (Pistons at 45-15 range).
- Luka Dončić (LAL) – Transferred superstar, monster stats in L.A.’s revamped lineup.
- Jaylen Brown (BOS) – MVP-level consistency, Finals MVP pedigree on a surging Celtics squad.
All-NBA Second Team
- Victor Wembanyama (SAS) – Generational talent, defensive anchor on a top West team.
- Donovan Mitchell (CLE) – Scoring explosion, key to Cavs’ East contention.
- Anthony Edwards (MIN) – Explosive two-way play for a top-four West seed.
- Kawhi Leonard (LAC) – Healthy and dominant when on floor.
- Jalen Brunson (NYK) – Knicks’ engine, high-level scoring/playmaking.
All-NBA Third Team
- Tyrese Maxey (PHI) – Breakout scoring guard.
- Kevin Durant (HOU) – Vintage efficiency and volume at 37, carrying Rockets to No. 3 seed.
- Jamal Murray (DEN) – Clutch scoring complement to Jokić.
- Jalen Johnson (ATL) – Near 20-point triple-double threat despite Hawks’ middling record (31-31).
- Jalen Duren (DET) – Double-double machine on East’s best team.
Durant earns Third Team here due to his production (top-10 scoring, elite splits) and team context (Rockets’ offensive efficiency skyrockets with him on floor, per recent games like his 30-point outburst vs. Wizards on March 2). He’s not First/Second because the league’s guard-heavy talent (SGA, Luka, etc.) and younger standouts (Wemby, Edwards) edge him out, but his age-defying excellence and Houston’s seeding secure a spot.
The race remains fluid—22 games left means injuries, hot streaks, or slumps could shift things. The 65-game threshold (no more than 18 missed) is key; Durant’s been durable, but others like Jokić have flirtation risks. Contenders like Devin Booker (PHX), Deni Avdija (POR), or Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) could sneak in with strong finishes.
Bottom line: Durant’s carrying the Rockets to relevance in a stacked West, proving once again why he’s among the most talented scorers ever. All-NBA Third Team feels right today—anything higher would be a testament to a vintage closeout run.
Rockets fans, do you see KD climbing higher with a strong finish? Or is Third Team locked in? Comment below—22 games to shape the narrative!