For the first time since the 2019-20 season, the Houston Rockets have an All-NBA player. His name is Kevin Durant. And at 37 years old, he just delivered a season that most players in their prime would envy.
Durant was voted to the All-NBA Second Team on Sunday. It’s the 12th time he has earned All-NBA honors in his illustrious career — and the sixth time he’s landed on the second team.
The numbers are staggering. The context is even more impressive.
Let me break down why this selection matters, what Durant did to earn it, and why the Rockets’ decision to acquire him is finally paying off.
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The Numbers: A Season for the Ages
Let me start with the stats that put Durant in elite company.
2025-26 season averages:
26.0 points per game
5.5 rebounds
4.8 assists
52% shooting from the field
41.3% shooting from three
87.4% shooting from the free throw line
Those are not “good for a 37-year-old” numbers. Those are All-NBA numbers. Those are “best player on most teams” numbers.
Durant played in 78 games this season. That’s the most games he’s played since the 2018-19 season — his final year with the Golden State Warriors. He was second in the entire NBA in total minutes played.
At 37. After a ruptured Achilles. After multiple knee surgeries. After everything.
The Efficiency: Better Than Ever
Let me talk about Durant’s efficiency, because that’s where the real story lies.
Durant ranked in the 95th percentile among wings in usage rate — meaning he was one of the most heavily relied-upon players in the league. And despite that heavy workload, he ranked in the 97th percentile in points per shot attempt.
That’s absurd efficiency. He’s not just taking shots; he’s making them at an elite clip.
His 52% field goal percentage is remarkable for a wing who takes as many contested jumpers as he does. His 41.3% three-point percentage is elite for any player, let alone a 37-year-old.
The advanced metrics love him too. The predictive impact metric DPM ranked Durant in the 98th percentile among all players. That means his overall impact on winning was better than 98% of the league.
The Durability: A Remarkable Comeback
Let me address the elephant in the room.
Durant’s biggest criticism in recent years has been his inability to stay on the court. He missed significant time in Brooklyn. He missed significant time in Phoenix. The narrative was that his body was breaking down.
This season, he shattered that narrative.
Seventy-eight games. Second in the NBA in minutes played. He was an iron man at an age when most players are retired or role players.
Rockets coach Ime Udoka put it perfectly:
“He’s notorious for the workouts and consistency and professionalism. That’s why he is where he is, besides the natural talent.”
The Historical Context: Passing Michael Jordan
Let me talk about the moment that defined Durant’s season.
On March 21, Durant passed Michael Jordan for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Think about that for a second. Kevin Durant — a kid from Seat Pleasant, Maryland — now has more points than the greatest player of all time.
His teammate Amen Thompson summed it up perfectly after that game:
“That’s legendary.”
It was. And it’s a moment that will be remembered long after Durant retires.
The Rockets’ Drought: First All-NBA Player Since 2020
Let me put this selection in franchise context.
The Rockets haven’t had an All-NBA player since the 2019-20 season, when James Harden made the First Team and Russell Westbrook made the Third Team.
That was six years ago. That was a different era. That was a different franchise.
Durant’s selection is a sign that the Rockets are back. They’re relevant. They have a superstar who can carry them.
The Young Core: Learning from a Legend
Let me talk about the impact Durant has had on Houston’s young players.
Amen Thompson, Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr. — they’re all watching Durant every day. They’re seeing how he prepares. They’re seeing how he works. They’re seeing what it takes to be great.
Sengun received one second-team vote and three third-team votes himself. He’s not an All-NBA player yet — but he’s getting closer. And having Durant as a mentor is invaluable.
What This Means for the Rockets’ Future
Let me look ahead.
Durant is 37. He’s not going to play forever. But this season proved that he’s still capable of being the best player on a playoff team.
The Rockets have decisions to make. Do they build around Durant for one more year? Do they pivot to the young core? Do they try to win now or plan for the future?
Durant’s All-NBA selection makes the decision both easier and harder. Easier because it proves he’s still elite. Harder because it raises the question: how much longer can he keep this up?
The Legacy: A First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Let me zoom out.
Kevin Durant is already a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s a two-time NBA champion. A two-time Finals MVP. A 14-time All-Star. A four-time scoring champion. The 2014 MVP.
This All-NBA selection is just another line on an already impossibly impressive résumé.
But it’s also a reminder that greatness doesn’t fade — it evolves. Durant is not the same player he was at 25. He’s smarter. He’s more efficient. He’s a better passer. He’s a leader.
He’s different. But he’s still great.
Final Verdict: Appreciate Greatness While You Can
Here’s my honest take.
Kevin Durant is 37 years old. He’s playing on borrowed time. Every season from here on out is a gift.
But this season — 78 games, 26 points per game, 52% shooting, an All-NBA selection — was not a gift. It was earned. It was the result of countless hours in the gym, relentless dedication, and a will to be great that most players don’t possess.
The Rockets are lucky to have him. The NBA is lucky to have him. And we’re all lucky to watch him.
One thing’s certain: Kevin Durant isn’t done yet. And if this season is any indication, he’s got a lot more left in the tank.