Fans were surprised to not see Kevin Durant on the Houston Rockets bench with the rest of the team after he was ruled out for Game 3 of the first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant was questionable entering the game due to his ankle injury, but he got ruled out a couple of hours before opening tipoff. Houston has now missed Durant for two of the first three playoff games.
However, the story took another turn when Durant was not seen with the team on the bench in the first half. Various media members claimed they saw Durant there earlier in the day and he was with the team in the venue. Durant actively chose not to sit with his teammates on the bench tonight and is likely watching the game from the locker room.
A Strange Opt-Out
It remains a strange scenario since most players sit with their teams when they are ruled out injured. An NBA player sitting with the team allows him to give advice, especially in a scenario like the veteran Durant playing with many young talents. The overall optics also usually sees that player still wanting to be part of the team. Durant instead decided to avoid the bench and watch the game away from the spotlight.
The decision did not go unnoticed. Fans on social media questioned Durant’s commitment. Analysts wondered if there was tension between Durant and the coaching staff. The Rockets organization declined to comment.
Durant’s absence from the bench is not a violation of any rule. But it is a violation of an unwritten code. When you are hurt, you sit with your team. You cheer. You coach. You support.
Durant chose not to.
The Burner Account Fallout: Locker Room Tension
The Rockets’ season was impacted by Durant’s alleged burner account leaking during All-Star Weekend. Past incidents have seen Durant exposed for insulting his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammates on a previous burner account.
Durant found his name in the news for wrong reasons when various people accused him of running a Twitter page that insulted his teammates. Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith were personally insulted via the account. Blame was passed to the two from the alleged Durant comments referencing why the team underachieved at various points of the season.
Durant has not confirmed nor denied the story to make it a bigger issue when it happened. The potential story of Durant insulting his teammates is a terrible look, but refusing to sit with your team for a playoff game is even worse. Drama continues to follow Durant with social media and locker room issues.
Durant’s History: A Pattern of Isolation?
This is not the first time Durant has been accused of isolating himself from teammates. In Oklahoma City, there were whispers that he kept his distance. In Brooklyn, there were reports of tension. In Phoenix, there were questions about his engagement.
Durant is one of the greatest players of all time. He is also one of the most sensitive. He reads criticism. He responds to it. He sometimes lets it affect him.
The burner account scandal was embarrassing. The bench absence is concerning.
Together, they paint a picture of a player who is not fully invested in his team.
The Future: A Core in Flux
Houston had a disappointing season of finishing fifth after last season’s second seed. A bold trade of Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks for Durant made it clear they are planning to contend for an NBA Championship starting this season.
It remains highly unlikely they’ll make a run this season with Durant’s injury and other teams looking far better. Rumors are already circulating about the Rockets planning to offer Sengun and other assets in a trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The duo of Giannis and Durant would be fascinating, but more trades for the sake of it may be a mistake. Houston must either shop or fully commit to younger talents like Sengun, Smith, Amen Thompson, and Reed Sheppard this offseason. Durant showing little chemistry with his current Rockets teammates may be enough to force a trade.
The Verdict: A Marriage in Trouble?
The Rockets are down 0-3. They are on the brink of elimination. Kevin Durant is injured. He is not on the bench. He is not with his teammates.
The season is ending. The questions are beginning.
Was the Durant trade a mistake? Should the Rockets have kept their young core? Is Durant the missing piece or the problem?
These questions will be answered in the coming weeks and months.
But one thing is already clear: the relationship between Durant and the Rockets is not healthy. And if the Rockets get swept, the offseason will be filled with speculation, trade rumors, and drama.
Durant has been here before. He has forced his way out of situations. He has demanded trades. He has moved on.
The Rockets hoped he would be the final piece. Instead, he might be the first domino to fall.
Game 4 is Sunday. The Rockets are fighting for their season.
Durant will likely not play. And based on Friday night, he might not even be on the bench.
That says everything about where this relationship stands.