<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/celebrity/kevin-durant-has-a-netflix-documentary-in-the-works-but-theres-a-catch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant has a Netflix documentary in the works, but there’s a catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Durant-has-a-Netflix-documentary-in-the-works-but-theres-a-catch.jpg"></figure><h1>Kevin Durant has a Netflix documentary in the works, but there’s a catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-23T12:56:33-07:00">October 23rd, 12:56pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-23T12:56:33-07:00">October 23rd, 12:56pm</time><address><a href="http://designsux.com">Burtland Dixon</a>As an avid enthusiast of entertainment, Burtland Dixon is a passionate individual who revels in the magic of movies, sports, music, and pop culture. Whether it's catching the latest blockbuster, watching the marquee matchup of the week, attending live concerts, or getting immersed in the world of gaming, Burtland finds joy in all forms of entertainment.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Celebrity</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Netflix has confirmed a multi-year documentary series chronicling <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kds-loud-clapback-thunder-fans-caught-on-camera">Kevin Durant’s legendary</a> basketball career, but fans might find the timing bittersweet. The cameras are<a href="https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/kevin-durant-doc-series-announcement" rel="noopener"> rolling on what could be the final act</a> of one of the game’s most gifted scorers, documenting not just his dominance but the closing stretch of a Hall of Fame journey, per Netflix.</p><p>The streaming giant announced Thursday that the project, co-produced by OBB Pictures and Boardroom, will follow Durant from his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area to his rise at Texas, his NBA superstardom, and his Olympic glory. Filming began before the 2023–24 season and will continue through the current campaign and beyond. That stretch covers his first season with the Houston Rockets, marking the latest chapter in a story that began nearly two decades ago when the Seattle SuperSonics made him the No. 2 pick in 2007.</p><p>“It’s incredibly exciting to partner with one of the greatest to ever practice their craft,” said OBB founder and CEO Michael D. Ratner. “Kevin is undeniably one of the best to ever play basketball, but he’s also a fascinating individual with an untold story that will inspire and excite everyone who watches.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">A Kevin Durant documentary is currently in the works and eventually coming to Netflix 🍿</p><p>Filming for the series began before the 2023-24 season, and will continue shooting for years beyond as he approaches the final chapters of his career.</p><p>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/netflix?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@netflix</a>) <a href="https://t.co/dDYghe3Xvy">pic.twitter.com/dDYghe3Xvy</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1981419241799606573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>The Final Chapters of Greatness</b></h2><p>Durant’s career has already produced two NBA titles, an MVP award, 15 All-Star appearances, and four Olympic gold medals. He’s also the all-time USA Olympic scoring leader and the highest-paid player in league history. Yet, what makes this documentary stand out isn’t just the accolades—it’s the timing.</p><p>At 37, Durant is still playing at an elite level, but the series’ focus on his “final chapters” hints that the end may be near. That undertone gives the project a reflective tone rarely seen in sports storytelling. The narrative will likely revisit defining moments, from his early Oklahoma City days alongside Russell Westbrook and James Harden, to his polarizing move to Golden State, where he captured two championships, and later, his short-lived superteam experiment in Brooklyn.</p><p>Now in Houston, Durant’s story has come full circle, returning to the state where he first became a college sensation. The documentary, directed by Emmy winners Michael D. Ratner and Robert Alexander, promises unprecedented access to Durant’s life off the court, featuring intimate interviews with family, coaches, and teammates.</p><p>Netflix hasn’t shared a release date yet, and that uncertainty adds another layer to the “catch.” The cameras are still rolling as Durant continues to write his own ending, leaving fans wondering just how much longer their favorite scorer will keep playing.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant has a Netflix documentary in the works, but there’s a catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-kevin-durant-should-gotten-technical-foul-l2m-report-admits');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rockets’ Kevin Durant should have gotten a technical foul: L2M report admits');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Houston-Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant-7-smiles-after-a-play.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rockets’ Kevin Durant should have gotten a technical foul: L2M report admits</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-22T15:11:26-07:00">October 22nd, 3:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-22T15:11:26-07:00">October 22nd, 3:11pm</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' editorial team after primarily focusing on betting content. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA Opener had some drama as the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-nearly-had-chris-webber-timeout-nightmare-in-houston-debut">Houston Rockets’ Kevin Durant called a timeout</a> when the team had none remaining. But the referees did not see the gesture. Now, an <a href="https://official.nba.com/l2m/L2MReport.html?gameId=0022500001" rel="noopener">L2M report admits to missing the call.</a></p><blockquote>After securing the rebound, Durant (HOU) signals for a timeout, the report noted. But it is not seen by the officials. If recognized, a technical foul would have been assessed to HOU for an excessive timeout.</blockquote><p>It marred what was the first game for the star with his new team since Durant signed a two-year contract with the Rockets. Notably, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-real-reason-steph-curry-suffered-chris-webber-timeout-moment-vs-kings">it gave Durant a Chris Webber moment,</a> as the former star gained notoriety for calling a timeout with none left.</p><p>This gaffe also left a lot of controversy in what was a back-and-forth Rockets-Thunder battle. At the time of the incident, the game was tied with two seconds left. Had the officials seen the mistake, they would have awarded the Thunder a free throw on a technical foul. But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-official-explains-kevin-durant-timeout-missed-ot-thunder">officials did not see </a><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-official-explains-kevin-durant-timeout-missed-ot-thunder">Durant’s timeout</a>, and the Rockets tried to win the game in the second overtime.</p><p>Fans were not buying it, with many on social media reacting to the mistake. ClkutchPoints National NBA Insider Brett Siegel recapped what happened, indicating that it was simply an issue of the referees not seeing the timeout call.</p><p>“The NBA has said in the L2M report that Kevin Durant signaled for a timeout at the conclusion of the first overtime period in OKC last night, but it was not seen by the officials,” Siegel wrote. “This was deemed an incorrect call, and a technical foul should have been assessed.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rockets’ Kevin Durant should have gotten a technical foul: L2M report admits

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-receives-challenge-espn-analyst-loss-thunder');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rockets’ Kevin Durant receives challenge from ESPN analyst after loss to Thunder');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Durant-warms-up.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rockets’ Kevin Durant receives challenge from ESPN analyst after loss to Thunder</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-22T14:00:06-07:00">October 22nd, 2:00pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-22T14:00:06-07:00">October 22nd, 2:00pm</time><address><a>Jackson Stone</a>Jackson Stone is a Mercer University alum from Atlanta who graduated with a BA in communications. A lifelong sports lover, Jackson is a die-hard fan of all Atlanta teams. He joined ClutchPoints in 2023.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>On Tuesday evening, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-jumbo-lineup-nearly-humbles-thunder-82-game-problem">Houston Rockets dropped</a> to 0-1 on the young 2025-26 NBA season with a heartbreaking 125-124 double overtime <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-better-plea-thrilling-win-rockets">loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder</a> in what was a thrilling game. The contest marked the first regular season game for Kevin Durant in a Rockets uniform, and he played relatively well, although he did miss a crucial free throw late in regulation and also narrowly avoided a Chris Webber-esque timeout disaster.</p><p>In crunch time, the offense for Houston seemed to run primarily through Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. Although both players, particularly Sengun, had big nights, some<a href="https://x.com/ESPNNBA/status/1981081505972531615" rel="noopener"> were wondering why</a> Durant was not initiating things more down the stretch for the Rockets.</p><p>“KD did what he does best, he was efficient right? I want him to take over more late,” said ESPN analyst Chiney Ogwumike on NBA Today, per NBA on ESPN on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Indeed, Durant seemed to defer at times late to his teammates, with mixed results. In fairness, Sengun was mostly unstoppable on Tuesday, eviscerating the best defense in the NBA a year ago for 39 points on elite efficiency.</p><p>Still, after everything they gave up to bring in Durant, Rockets fans were likely hoping for a little bit more in crunch time from one of the greatest pure scorers the game has ever seen.</p><h2><b>A tough loss for the Rockets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rockets-2_d3a6bf.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Houston Rockets enter this season with legitimate championship expectations after earning the number two seed a year ago and adding a future Hall of Famer in Durant, who is still producing at an elite level at age 37.</p><p>Of course, there’s nothing shameful about losing in double overtime to the reigning champs on the road (albeit with Jalen Williams), but for the Rockets to come so close to an early season signature victory, only to have it slip through their fingers, has to hurt.</p><p>Still, there was a lot to be encouraged about in this game, and Durant will only grow more comfortable with his role on the team as the season goes on.</p><p>The Rockets will next take the floor on Friday evening for their home opener against the Detroit Pistons.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rockets’ Kevin Durant receives challenge from ESPN analyst after loss to Thunder

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-official-explains-kevin-durant-timeout-missed-ot-thunder');   ga('set', 'title', 'Official explains why Kevin Durant’s timeout was missed in OT in Rockets-Thunder');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ime-Udoka-talks-to-forward-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Official explains why Kevin Durant’s timeout was missed in OT in Rockets-Thunder</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T21:46:36-07:00">October 21st, 9:46pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T21:46:36-07:00">October 21st, 9:46pm</time><address><a>Paolo Mariano</a>Paolo Mariano is a freelance writer, editor, and producer based in Manila, Philippines. He is a journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas and the father of a young girl whose personality swings from Simone Biles to Dillon Brooks. A beacon of objectivity, he believes Penny Hardaway is the true NBA GOAT.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Kevin Durant lost in his debut for the Houston Rockets after they <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-fans-wild-ending-kevin-durant-rockets-debut-thunder">fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, 125-124, in double overtime at Paycom Center on Tuesday.</p><p>Alperen Sengun gave the Rockets the lead, 124-123, in the second extension with only 11 seconds left after getting an assist from Durant. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however, was fouled in the ensuing possession. He sank two free throws to give the Thunder the nail-biting win.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-nearly-had-chris-webber-timeout-nightmare-in-houston-debut">Durant almost cost the Rockets the game</a> in the first overtime after he called a timeout with only two seconds remaining, even though they didn’t have any. Fortunately for them, the referees didn’t see it.</p><p><a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1980845812415414746" rel="noopener">The missed call was confirmed</a> by crew chief Zach Zarba after the game, according to ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.</p><p>“None of the three game officials saw Kevin signal that timeout. That’s why it wasn’t granted before the expiration of time,” explained Zarba.</p><p>The Thunder would have been awarded a free throw had the referees seen Durant’s timeout. Sengun even tried to snatch the ball from the two-time Finals MVP as he was gesturing the timeout.</p><p>Fans put the referees on blast for the missed call.</p><p>“LMAO, of course that’s what they will say. Can we expect them to say, “Yeah, we saw KD (call) a timeout but just ignored him so we don’t have to give him a technical,'” <a href="https://x.com/DGr8Content/status/1980846687758479396" rel="noopener">said</a> @DGr8Content.</p><p>“So not a single official watching the player with the ball. Yeah. Sure,” <a href="https://x.com/WillTerrellOK/status/1980850911141625953" rel="noopener">noted</a> @WillTerrellOK.</p><p>“Refs also wanted this game to end,” <a href="https://x.com/Os91413Jon/status/1980849586605552087" rel="noopener">posted</a> @Os91413Jon.</p><p>“Zach Zarba and the rest of this officiating crew should honestly be investigated and not assigned any more games this year. This is one of the worst officiated basketball games I have ever seen,” <a href="https://twitter.com/HydrationGang69/status/1980826976517538212" rel="noopener">added</a> @HydrationGang69.</p><p>“Zach Zarba totally bailed out Kevin Durant by knowing the situation and not awarding the timeout,” <a href="https://twitter.com/JonMetler/status/1980827080389706007" rel="noopener">wrote</a> @JonMetler.</p><p>Durant tallied 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in his first game for the Rockets. He also had four turnovers.</p><p>He took accountability for his crucial mistakes.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Official explains why Kevin Durant’s timeout was missed in OT in Rockets-Thunder

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-blame-2-plays-lost-season-opener-houston');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant takes blame for 2 plays that lost season opener for Rockets');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Durant-9.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Kevin Durant takes blame for 2 plays that lost season opener for Rockets</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T21:40:08-07:00">October 21st, 9:40pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T21:40:08-07:00">October 21st, 9:40pm</time><address><a>Troy Finnegan</a>Troy Finnegan is a Senior Editor, NFL and NCAA Sports Lead at ClutchPoints. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 with a degree in journalism and minors in communications and sports media, as well as a critical sports studies certificate. He has had a passion for sports his entire life, and enjoys covering and writing about all sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder wasted no time getting back in the swing of things this NBA season, as the two Western Conference contenders played a double-overtime classic on opening night. In the end, it was the defensive champion <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-fans-wild-ending-kevin-durant-rockets-debut-thunder">Thunder coming away with a hard-fought 125-124 victory</a> after a back-and-forth affair that set the stage for the season.</p><p>Of course the biggest story of the night was the Thunder raising their first banner in franchise history and receiving their championship rings, but after that it was all about Kevin Durant playing his first game with the Rockets after a blockbuster trade this offseason.</p><p>Durant played a quality game on opening night, notching 23 points to go with nine rebounds on 9-for-16 shooting, but he was a bit quiet in the second half. Late in the game, he made a pair of costly errors that hurt the Rockets. After the loss, Durant claimed those two plays as the ones that doomed Houston and <a href="https://x.com/WillGuillory/status/1980841202359677368" rel="noopener">eventually dropped it to 0-1</a>, via Will Guillory of The Athletic.</p><p>“I missed the free throw (in regulation) and I fouled (SGA) at the end to put them up 1,” Durant said. “I think those two plays are the reason we lost.”</p><p>Durant had the chance to put the Rockets up by three at the end of regulation with a pair of free throws, but he missed the front end and Houston led by just two. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexanders-bonkers-quarter-adds-to-opening-night-drama">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander responded with a stepback jumper</a> to tie the game and send it to free basketball.</p><p>Then, in double overtime, Durant ended up with the Gilgeous-Alexander assignment on Oklahoma City’s final possession with the Rockets clinging to a one-point lead. After staying solid for most of the possession, Durant bit on a pump fake and fouled the reigning Finals MVP. SGA drilled both free throws as Durant fouled out, unable to respond on what ended up being an empty final possession to seal the loss.</p><p>Durant will certainly have plenty of chances to avenge this loss, not only against the Thunder but against the rest of the league as he enters his first season with his new squad.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant takes blame for 2 plays that lost season opener for Rockets

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-knows-kevin-durant-got-away-with-one-in-timeout-snafu');   ga('set', 'title', 'Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows Kevin Durant got away with one in timeout snafu');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thunders-Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander-vs.-Rockets-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows Kevin Durant got away with one in timeout snafu</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T21:38:44-07:00">October 21st, 9:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T21:38:44-07:00">October 21st, 9:38pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Even the best players suffer from frayed nerves at the end of close games, and this was certainly the case for Houston Rockets star and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant. With the score tied at 115 with around two seconds left after Tari Eason blocked a potential game-winning attempt from Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Durant hauled in the rebound and called a timeout to set up a potential game-winner for the Rockets. The catch, however, was that the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-nearly-had-chris-webber-timeout-nightmare-in-houston-debut">Rockets no longer had any timeouts</a>.</p><p>Durant, however, dodged a major bullet, as officials failed to recognize the Rockets star’s call for a timeout. But to the Thunder, Durant’s pleas were clear. Gilgeous-Alexander, who was close to the action,<a href="https://x.com/BrandonRahbar/status/1980842144614232253" rel="noopener"> revealed his perspective</a> on the matter and expressed how lucky he thinks Durant was to get away with what would have been an embarrassing blunder.</p><p>“Kevin definitely called time out about three times. Verbally and physically. The refs just missed it. That’s life,” Gilgeous-Alexander said, per Brandon Rahbar of Daily Thunder.</p><p>The good news for the Thunder is that they did not let that missed call snowball into something that would have led to a loss. A more inexperienced team may have lost their cool, but this OKC squad is composed and now has some winning prestige — allowing them to remain locked in even when things don’t go their way.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-baits-kevin-durant-mvp-clutch-move-win">had the last laugh against the Rockets anyway</a>, and against Durant, no less. The reigning MVP put Durant on the blender on the final offensive possession for the Thunder, and Gilgeous-Alexander caused him to bite on a pump fake, drawing Durant’s sixth foul which led to two easy free throws to take the lead.</p><p>This would be a louder talking point had the Thunder lost the game, but OKC got the job done even though the officiating wasn’t on their side at a crucial juncture.</p><h2><b>Thunder win war of attrition against Rockets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thunder-guard-Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander-2-drives.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Rockets had one mission entering their opening night clash against the Thunder: to win the physicality battle and beat the reigning champion into submission.</p><p>But this Thunder squad did not win a championship by playing soft. They have risen to the occasion over and over again, and Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, saved his best for last.</p><p>OKC did give Houston a dose of its own medicine; they were picking up the Rockets’ ballhandlers for 94 feet, making life hell for the Fred VanVleet-less squad.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander knows Kevin Durant got away with one in timeout snafu

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-mark-daigneault-keeps-brief-kevin-durant-timeout-no-call');   ga('set', 'title', 'Thunder’s Mark Daigneault keeps it brief on Kevin Durant timeout no-call');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thunder-Head-Coach-Mark-Daigneault-looks-at-the-scoreboard.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Thunder’s Mark Daigneault keeps it brief on Kevin Durant timeout no-call</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T20:52:24-07:00">October 21st, 8:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T20:52:24-07:00">October 21st, 8:52pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA didn’t waste much time creating drama in its brand new 2025-26 NBA season. Kevin Durant made his debut for the Houston Rockets Tuesday night against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, but didn’t have the ideal result, as his team fell prey to the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, in double overtime, 125-124.</p><p>But at least Durant <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-nearly-had-chris-webber-timeout-nightmare-in-houston-debut">escaped joining the infamous Chris Weber club</a>. As time wound down to its final seconds in the first overtime and with the score tied, Durant appeared to call a timeout that Houston no longer had. Fortunately for Durant and the Rockets, the refs didn’t seem to catch his timeout gesture, and the game went on for another five minutes.</p><p>Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault and the rest of the team tried to question the non-call, but to no avail.</p><p>Oklahoma City then went down to work in overtime, where Shai Gilgeous-Alexander weaved his magic. The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player, who drained a contested jumper in the clutch to force the first overtime, drew a foul from Durant late in the second extra session, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-baits-kevin-durant-mvp-clutch-move-win">leading to his game-winning free throws</a>.</p><p>Following the thrilling victory of his team, Daigneault said that he’s <a href="https://x.com/BrandonRahbar/status/1980836942054060288" rel="noopener">already moved on</a> from the controversial non-call on Durant’s attempted timeout.</p><p>“I said what I needed to say and I’m over it,” Daigneault shared, per Brandon Rahbar of the Daily Thunder.</p><p>Perhaps Daigneault would be singing a different tune if the Thunder ended up losing the game, but it’s now on to the next one for him and Oklahoma City.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander led OKC against Houston with 35 points to go along with five rebounds, five assists and two steals.</p><p>After taking down the Rockets, the Thunder will go on a three-game road trip, beginning this Thursday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where they will have an NBA Finals rematch against the Indiana Pacers.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Thunder’s Mark Daigneault keeps it brief on Kevin Durant timeout no-call

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-baits-kevin-durant-mvp-clutch-move-win');   ga('set', 'title', 'Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander baits Kevin Durant in MVP clutch move for the win');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thunder-guard-Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander-2-goes-up-for-a-basket.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander baits Kevin Durant in MVP clutch move for the win</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T20:27:41-07:00">October 21st, 8:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T20:27:41-07:00">October 21st, 8:27pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>In a poetic matchup between the past and present of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-fans-wild-ending-kevin-durant-rockets-debut-thunder">Oklahoma City Thunder down the stretch of Tuesday night’s game</a> against the visiting Houston Rockets, it was the reigning NBA Most Valuable Player who came out on top.</p><p>With the Thunder trailing the Rockets by a point with under 10 seconds left in the second overtime, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got the ball with the opportunity to win the game for OKC. Guarded by the much taller and lengthier Kevin Durant, Gilgeous-Alexander managed to draw a shooting foul from Durant, which was also the latter’s sixth of the contest.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kevin Durant fouled out, Shai got him in his bag… WHAT A GAME!!!  <a href="https://t.co/OKQh51l1fF">pic.twitter.com/OKQh51l1fF</a></p><p>— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMHighlights1/status/1980830960720736428?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Gilgeous-Alexander made Durant pay for that foul, as he had countless times before to opposing defenders, as he knocked down both shots from the foul line to put Oklahoma City in front by a point.</p><p>The Rockets called a timeout after Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throws, but with Durant disqualified from the game after maxing out his fouls, Houston didn’t have one of the game’s most dangerous scorers in history to take the last shot. Instead, the Rockets’ fate came down to a tough 19-foot jumper from Jabari Smith Jr. — that didn’t find its target.</p><p>With that, the Thunder escaped with a 125-124 win in the first game of the 2025-26 NBA season. It was indeed a wild night in Day 1 for the league’s new campaign.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander paced all Thunder scorers with 35 points on 12-for-26 shooting from the floor and 10-for-14 from the charity stripe. Chet Holmgren added 28 points while Ousmane Dieng came off the bench and chipped in 16 points.</p><p>As for the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-alperen-sengun-stat-line-not-seen-nba-history">Rockets, they got a game-high 39 points from star big man Alperen Sengun</a>, who also had 11 rebounds and seven assists. Durant, meanwhile, finished with 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists in 47 minutes of action in his first game in Houston threads.</p><p>The Rockets will look to recover from the loss this coming Friday when they play their season home opener against the Detroit Pistons. Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, on the other hand, will shoot for a 2-0 start in a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals this Thursday versus the Tyrese Haliburton-less Indiana Pacers on the road.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander baits Kevin Durant in MVP clutch move for the win

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/nba-stories/nba-news-fans-wild-ending-kevin-durant-rockets-debut-thunder');   ga('set', 'title', 'Fans erupt after wild ending to Kevin Durant’s Rockets debut vs. Thunder');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fans-erupt-after-wild-ending-to-Kevin-Durants-Rockets-debut-vs.-Thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Fans erupt after wild ending to Kevin Durant’s Rockets debut vs. Thunder</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T20:02:26-07:00">October 21st, 8:02pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T20:02:26-07:00">October 21st, 8:02pm</time><address><a>Paolo Mariano</a>Paolo Mariano is a freelance writer, editor, and producer based in Manila, Philippines. He is a journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas and the father of a young girl whose personality swings from Simone Biles to Dillon Brooks. A beacon of objectivity, he believes Penny Hardaway is the true NBA GOAT.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>All eyes were on Kevin Durant as he made his much-anticipated debut for the Houston Rockets, who took on the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Tuesday.</p><p>It was an early challenge for the two-time Finals MVP, who was traded by the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets in the offseason. It is also worth noting that <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-watch-as-okc-raises-first-ever-nba-championship-banner">Durant was up against his former team</a>, which held its ring ceremony before tip-off.</p><p>The Rockets and the Thunder put on a cinematic tussle as the game went into double overtime. Oklahoma City forced the first extension, 104-104, after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s jumper, while Houston returned the favor, 115-115, after Alperen Sengun’s dunk.</p><p>When the smoke cleared, the Thunder escaped by the skin of their teeth, 125-124, after Gilgeous-Alexnader’s free throws.</p><p>Fans were absolutely thrilled with the wild ending.</p><p>“Give me 82 Rockets-Thunder games,” <a href="https://x.com/greatlakejake15/status/1980821925950812381" rel="noopener">said</a> @greatlakejake15.</p><p>@ZabuzaZanpack had to <a href="https://twitter.com/ZabuzaZanpack/status/1980821914982785360" rel="noopener">pull out</a> the Martin Scorsese meme—and he is correct.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rockets vs Thunder overtime on opening day <a href="https://t.co/NkfdLMH1ql">pic.twitter.com/NkfdLMH1ql</a></p><p>— Zabusa (@ZabuzaZanpack) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZabuzaZanpack/status/1980821914982785360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“This Rockets and Thunder game is lightning straight to my veins,” <a href="https://x.com/HeyAntzNoPants/status/1980821799236780331" rel="noopener">added</a> @HeyAntzNoPants.</p><p>“This Rockets-Thunder game feels like a playoff game,” <a href="https://x.com/E_rich04/status/1980824248009568754" rel="noopener">posted</a> @E_rich04.</p><p>@CJOffTheBench had the <a href="https://twitter.com/CJOffTheBench/status/1980821984444559448" rel="noopener">perfect GIF</a> and caption to sum it all up.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Guy who scheduled Rockets-Thunder to open up the season.<br> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBAonNBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBAonNBC</a> <a href="https://t.co/6tX9PoBHDq">pic.twitter.com/6tX9PoBHDq</a></p><p>— Chris James (@CJOffTheBench) <a href="https://twitter.com/CJOffTheBench/status/1980821984444559448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The Ringer’s Bill Simmons also <a href="https://x.com/BillSimmons/status/1980820493478609353" rel="noopener">had to chime in</a>.</p><p>“This game is awesome. What a start to the season! We are Roundball Rocking it the f*** up,” wrote Simmons.</p><p>Gilgeous-Alexander, who had a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-nba-ring-message">strong message for the Thunder during the ring ceremony</a>, had 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Durant, meanwhile, finished with 23 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.</p><p>Oklahoma City will next face the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, while Houston will battle the Detroit Pistons on Friday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Fans erupt after wild ending to Kevin Durant’s Rockets debut vs. Thunder

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-nearly-had-chris-webber-timeout-nightmare-in-houston-debut');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant nearly had Chris Webber timeout nightmare in Rockets debut');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Houston-Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant-7-smiles-after-a-play.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Kevin Durant nearly had Chris Webber timeout nightmare in Rockets debut</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T19:53:19-07:00">October 21st, 7:53pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T20:00:19-07:00">October 21st, 8:00pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the score tied at 115 in overtime, the Houston Rockets faced the herculean task of forcing a miss from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the dying seconds of the game.<a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/thunder-news-shai-gilgeous-alexander-nba-ring-message"> Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after all, was still on the court</a> and was coming off an incredible fourth quarter in which he made the game-tying basket to send the game to an extra five minutes. The Rockets then rose to the occasion, with Tari Eason swallowing up Gilgeous-Alexander’s attempt from midrange to preserve the deadlock.</p><p>The ball then fell to Kevin Durant’s hands with two seconds remaining. The 37-year-old veteran, however, was not aware that the Rockets no longer had any timeouts and tried to gesture for one — prompting Alperen Sengun to wrestle the ball from him immediately as the time expired. The officials seemed to miss Durant’s call for a timeout and didn’t reward the Rockets with one — which <a href="https://twitter.com/LakeShowYo/status/1980826711823638962" rel="noopener">would have been disastrous</a> for Houston.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">KD CALLED A TIMEOUT (WHEN THEY DIDN’T HAVE ONE) AND THE REFS IGNORED IT 😭</p><p>DOUBLE OVERTIME 🍿 </p><p> <a href="https://t.co/COa5V4tpMh">pic.twitter.com/COa5V4tpMh</a></p><p>— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) <a href="https://twitter.com/LakeShowYo/status/1980826711823638962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>After the buzzer had sounded, the entire Thunder bench was protesting to the officials, signaling to the referees that Durant had clearly motioned for a timeout, which should have been given. Had Durant been penalized for this, the Rockets would have been called for a technical foul and the ball would have been awarded back to the Thunder — a turn of events that would have put the game clearly in OKC’s favor.</p><p>But Durant dodged a bullet, and he has to thank his lucky stars that he called a timeout in live action, which made it more difficult for officials to recognize. However, he <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-real-reason-steph-curry-suffered-chris-webber-timeout-moment-vs-kings">nearly had his Chris Webber moment</a>, and this might be the biggest sign that the Rockets star is aging.</p><h2><b>Fans explode with reactions to Kevin Durant’s blunder in Rockets debut</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Fans-erupt-after-wild-ending-to-Kevin-Durants-Rockets-debut-vs.-Thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Durant calling timeout to cost the Rockets against the Thunder in his debut for his new team would have been a cataclysmic way to end what has been such a slugfest on opening night. And fans aren’t just about to let Durant live down that blunder.</p><p>“Kevin Durant pulled a Chris Webber lol. Sounds about right,” X user @juniorgarza86 <a href="https://x.com/juniorgarza86/status/1980829187750674438" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p><p>“Kevin Durant called a timeout the Rockets didn’t have. Refs saved him from becoming Chris Webber 2.0. We have Double OT,” @CaitlinForThree <a href="https://x.com/CaitlinForThree/status/1980828221991186584" rel="noopener">added</a>.</p><p>“Refs in @okcthunder game need to be suspended already for this garbage. @NBA do better. Do we have refs betting on games again? Clearly Durant called timeout in front of baseline ref,” @TheShadyFive80 <a href="https://x.com/TheShadyFive80/status/1980827744062828561" rel="noopener">furthered</a>.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant nearly had Chris Webber timeout nightmare in Rockets debut

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-fires-back-okc-crowd-thunderous-boos');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rockets’ Kevin Durant fires back at OKC crowd after thunderous boos');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant-reacts.jpg"><figcaption>© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rockets’ Kevin Durant fires back at OKC crowd after thunderous boos</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T18:17:16-07:00">October 21st, 6:17pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T18:17:16-07:00">October 21st, 6:17pm</time><address><a href="https://letterboxd.com/splooshpuhrty/films/by/your-rating/">Jedd Pagaduan</a>Jedd Pagaduan is a certified Clippers and Gunners fan, which means he's a very sports-traumatized individual. He now writes about sports instead as a form of therapy.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-kevin-durant-wild-nsfw-rant-over-hate-from-nba-fans">Kevin Durant remains one of the most reviled figures</a> in Oklahoma City for the way he left the Thunder in free agency back in 2016. Now, the Thunder’s championship triumph has softened some of the heartbreak that has lingered from Durant’s departure. But whenever Durant visits Paycom Center, like he did for his official debut for the Houston Rockets on the opening night of the 2025-26 campaign, there clearly is no love lost.</p><p>During lineup introductions, Durant was hearing it already from Thunder fans in attendance. But the Rockets star, who’s already 37 years of age, is no longer fazed by the jeers he’s hearing. In fact, he has long embraced the role of the villain, if his social media activity is any indication, and he has gone as far as to <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopMixOnly/status/1980780522105086078" rel="noopener">hilariously boo</a> the Thunder crowd back.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kevin Durant hears boo’s from the OKC Thunder fans, he had a smirk 😂 <a href="https://t.co/vHi550MAgM">pic.twitter.com/vHi550MAgM</a></p><p>— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) <a href="https://twitter.com/SMHighlights1/status/1980781383036334151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">KD is really booing Thunder fans 😂😂😂 <a href="https://t.co/MhbtZFVxFd">pic.twitter.com/MhbtZFVxFd</a></p><p>— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoopMixOnly/status/1980780522105086078?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Many Thunder fans still believe that they would have won a title way sooner than 2025 had Durant decided to stay in 2016 instead of bolting for their greatest rival at the time, the Golden State Warriors. They were one win away from making it to the NBA Finals that year, and they certainly would have been in contention for an NBA championship in 2017 if Durant decided to run it back with Russell Westbrook and company.</p><p>Alas, almost a decade has passed since that flashpoint moment, and both parties are now better off. It’s like your typical breakup, but between a couple who were engaged but decided to call off the wedding at the last second, but later on discovered that they were not each other’s greatest love anyway. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunders-chet-holmgren-aplauds-kevin-durants-greatness-before-season-opener">Durant and the Thunder franchise have now</a> both won a title, and both are now better off nine years after parting ways.</p><h2><b>Kevin Durant has fresh start with the Rockets</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant-before-the-start-of-a-game-against-the-Thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Durant’s previous two stops, suffice to say, did not end well. The Brooklyn Nets decided to blow it up in 2023 even though they were having a strong season, and the Phoenix Suns suffered a steady decline in the two and a half seasons that Durant spent with the team.</p><p>But <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/kevin-durant-bold-predictions-after-going-to-rockets-in-historic-7-team-trade">with the Rockets, Durant is the perfect fit</a>. He can bond and mentor the team’s youngsters, and he’ll be free to do his own thing — demolishing defenders one on one, mainly from the midrange. He’s no longer the spring chicken defender of old, but the team has plenty of rangy defenders anyway to cover for whatever he might lack on that end of the floor these days.</p><p>This Rockets team has an opportunity to win big, and they are showing it on opening night after building a double-digit lead over the Thunder in the second half.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rockets’ Kevin Durant fires back at OKC crowd after thunderous boos

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-kicks-off-houston-journey-thunderous-dunk');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant kicks off Rockets journey with thunderous dunk');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant-before-the-start-of-a-game-against-the-Thunder.jpg"><figcaption>Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Kevin Durant kicks off Rockets journey with thunderous dunk</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T17:45:07-07:00">October 21st, 5:45pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T17:45:07-07:00">October 21st, 5:45pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-returns-okc-houston-thunder-showdown">newest chapter in Kevin Durant’s legendary NBA career has finally begun</a> Tuesday night. The shiny new Houston Rockets weapon is making his mark in his <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunders-chet-holmgren-aplauds-kevin-durants-greatness-before-season-opener">debut for them against his former team</a>, the Oklahoma City Thunder, at Paycom Center.</p><p>Durant’s first bucket as a Rocket happened just a little over two minutes into the contest,  as Houston turned a defensive stop into a transition basket from the 15-time NBA All-Star. The former league Most Valuable Player ran down the floor and found an open lane before getting a pass from Amen Thompson and finishing the play <a href="https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1980784452352811364" rel="noopener">with an uncontested, two-handed throwdown</a> — something Thunder fans had seen a million times before.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kevin Durant SLAMS IT DOWN for his first bucket as a Rocket 🚀 😤<br> <a href="https://t.co/cQRIXiVRaX">pic.twitter.com/cQRIXiVRaX</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1980784452352811364?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Durant arrived in Houston in the summer, via a complex trade from the Phoenix Suns that also involved five other teams, namely the Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves.</p><p>Before the trade, Durant played parts of three seasons with the Suns and failed to win an NBA title with them despite the lofty expectations set for the team when Phoenix acquired him via a trade with the Nets in 2023. During his stay with the Suns, Durant averaged 26.8 points while posting a 59.2 effective field goal percentage through 145 games.</p><p>Although he turned 37 in September, Durant remains widely viewed as one of the best scorers in the league today, with the Rockets hoping that their addition of the two-time NBA champion will be the key to their getting over the hump in the NBA Playoffs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant kicks off Rockets journey with thunderous dunk

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-kevin-durant-returns-okc-houston-thunder-showdown');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kevin Durant returns to OKC: All eyes on Rockets-Thunder showdown');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Kevin-Durant-clowns-Oklahoma-after-Red-River-Rivalry-loss.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><h1>Kevin Durant returns to OKC: All eyes on Rockets-Thunder showdown</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T16:37:03-07:00">October 21st, 4:37pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T16:37:34-07:00">October 21st, 4:37pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>More than nine years ago, Kevin Durant shockingly signed with the Golden State Warriors, leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the franchise that sent him and his teammates home the previous season after overcoming a 3-1 deficit. The move sent a dagger through an entire fan base and ultimately forced people to watch their squad’s most legendary player help form one of the most unstoppable juggernauts in modern NBA history. OKC has had plenty of time to process those hard feelings.</p><p>And it now has a title to wipe away the past pain. In most circumstances, there would be no reason to drum up the animosity that existed between Durant and fans, but it is hard to ignore that narrative on this specific occasion. Before the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunders-chet-holmgren-aplauds-kevin-durants-greatness-before-season-opener">future Hall of Fame forward</a> made his Houston Rockets debut against Oklahoma City in the Paycom Center in <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-4-biggest-storylines-champion-preseason-opening-night">Tuesday’s season opener</a>, the Thunder hung up their first-ever NBA championship banner and conducted their ring ceremony.</p><p>Although Houston opted to stay in the locker room during the festivities, it has to be strange for Durant to be facing OKC on the night his former team celebrates its crowning achievement. He never reached the pinnacle with the Thunder, with other superstars and plenty of misfortune standing in his way. The two-time Finals MVP and 2013-14 regular season MVP is bound to have some thoughts go through his head, even if he will not publicly admit it.</p><p>Nevertheless, Kevin Durant is now focused on making history with the Rockets, and in order to do that, he will presumably have to surpass the defending champs. The prized offseason acquisition <a href="https://x.com/NBA/status/1980744343398044137" rel="noopener">arrived in the building</a> ahead of the much-anticipated first game of the 2025-26 NBA campaign, drawing plenty of strong reactions in the process.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">KD IS BACK IN OKC 👀</p><p>Don't miss Durant's Rockets debut vs. the Thunder TONIGHT at 7:30 PM ET on NBC &amp; Peacock 🍿 <a href="https://t.co/FuXIP1TIi7">pic.twitter.com/FuXIP1TIi7</a></p><p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1980744343398044137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 21, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><h2><b>Is the Kevin Durant-Thunder saga back on?</b></h2><p>“Kevin Durant watching OKC raise the Championship Banner will put a smile on my face tonight,” <a href="https://x.com/Yoyobetz/status/1980736375201857684" rel="noopener">@Yoyobetz remarked on X</a>. “Kevin Durant has to sit there and watch the thunder hang a banner today in OKC and I can’t wait,” <a href="https://x.com/JaqnifeTTV/status/1980724985846014249" rel="noopener">@JaqnifeTTV posted</a>. “I know he got his ring but he has to know he didn’t have to leave OKC to do it.”</p><p>“This better not turn into another thunder heartbreak, we can’t handle it again,” <a href="https://x.com/cosmos_atom_/status/1980744436054392872" rel="noopener">@cosmos_atom_ said</a>. The emotions are rushing to the surface ahead of this Western Conference matchup. The Thunder intend to retain their title and eventually establish themselves as the newest hoops dynasty, and in a fitting twist, Durant is one of their biggest obstacles.</p><p>Both Houston and OKC have a long road to walk before accomplishing their respective goals, and it all starts with a buzzworthy reunion.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kevin Durant returns to OKC: All eyes on Rockets-Thunder showdown

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunders-chet-holmgren-aplauds-kevin-durants-greatness-before-season-opener');   ga('set', 'title', 'Thunder’s Chet Holmgren aplauds Kevin Durant’s ‘greatness’ before season opener');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Rockets-forward-Kevin-Durant.jpg"><figcaption>Dale Zanine-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Thunder’s Chet Holmgren aplauds Kevin Durant’s ‘greatness’ before season opener</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T14:11:16-07:00">October 21st, 2:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T14:18:11-07:00">October 21st, 2:18pm</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Rockets</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Ahead of Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-mark-daigneault-spares-championship-celebration-distraction-rockets">Thunder’s Opening Night matchup against the Houston Rockets</a>, who inked future Hall of Fame forward Kevin Durant during the offseason, making them instant title contenders. After finishing with the second-best record in the Western Conference last season (52-30), the Rockets made arguably the biggest signing in free agency.</p><p>Holmgren discussed what Durant <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR-RHrpzHCs" rel="noopener">adds to</a> a talented and young Rockets team during Thunder morning shootaround on Tuesday.</p><p>“Same thing he adds to any team that he joins — 18 years of tough shot-making, greatness in the game of basketball, and we talk about Sengun and Adams being great players, he’s one of the great players,” Holmgren said. “And we have to game plan for him as well.”</p><p>Holmgren also admits receiving his championship ring before the Thunder raises its first championship will make for a start to the regular season he’s undoubtedly unfamiliar with, but he is feeling good about his team’s approach before playing Kevin Durant and the Rockets.</p><p>“It’s definitely a very unique situation,” Holmgren said. “Very rarely do you have such a big switch-up of the pregame routine. So, it’ll be a unique challenge tonight, but I feel like everybody has a good idea of what to expect, and everybody’s kind of approaching it in their own way to stay prepared for the game that’s happening right after.”</p><h2><b>Chet Holmgren on Thunder’s historic Opening Night</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Thunder-forward-Chet-Holmgren_d849b5.jpg"><figcaption>DOUG HOKE/THEOKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Thunder forward <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/oklahoma-city-thunder/thunder-news-4-biggest-storylines-champion-preseason-opening-night">Chet Holmgren could have a breakout season</a> in 2025-26, as the fourth-year starter, who missed his rookie season, has yet to earn an All-Star selection. After helping the Thunder win a championship, Holmgren’s positioned for a big season, and has been in Oklahoma City long enough to understand that fans watching them raise a championship banner is an unforgettable moment.</p><p>Holmgren discussed the magnitude of October 21 for Thunder fans at the Paycom Center.</p><p>“I think Sam had the best quote, and I’ll just kind of reiterate it; when I leave in the summer and I go home, or I’m training out in LA, or wherever I might be, people say congrats. Congrats on the championship. But when you’re here, people say thank you,” Holmgren added. “A lot of people don’t realize it really does a lot for the community, especially playing into the playoffs, and having all of those extra games. The extra boost for the economy that it brings.”</p><p>Holmgren and the Thunder will face the Rockets at 7:30 EST on NBC/Peacock on Tuesday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Thunder’s Chet Holmgren aplauds Kevin Durant’s ‘greatness’ before season opener

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-did-reporter-take-shot-kevin-durant-discussing-jimmy-butler-ego');   ga('set', 'title', 'Did reporter take a shot at Kevin Durant when discussing Warriors’ Jimmy Butler’s ‘ego?’');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Warriors-news-Did-reporter-take-a-shot-at-Kevin-Durant-when-discussing-Jimmy-Butlers-ego-1.jpg"><figcaption>ClutchPoints</figcaption></figure><h1>Did reporter take a shot at Kevin Durant when discussing Warriors’ Jimmy Butler’s ‘ego?’</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-10-21T12:18:51-07:00">October 21st, 12:18pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-10-21T12:20:25-07:00">October 21st, 12:20pm</time><address><a>Julian Ojeda</a>Julian Ojeda is an Orlando-based sports journalist with 3 years of professional writing under his belt, specializing in both NBA and NFL coverage. A devoted Orlando Magic fan, he deftly balances fervent fandom with insightful reporting, possessing a keen eye for compelling narratives.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Golden State Warriors</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>As the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-stephen-curry-year-17-with-unmatched-feat-season-openers">Golden State Warriors prepare to open the 2025-26 NBA season</a> on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, a recent column from the San Francisco Chronicle has sparked debate after appearing to reference former Warriors star and current Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant in comparison to Jimmy Butler III.</p><p>In her latest piece, veteran columnist Ann Killion praised Butler’s self-awareness and team-first mentality as he enters his first full season with Golden State. However, her wording seemed to indirectly contrast Butler’s mindset with that of previous Warriors players — specifically those who, as she described, “<a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/annkillion/article/jimmy-butler-warriors-golden-state-21104262.php" rel="noopener">needed to be seen as the man</a>.”</p><p>Killion wrote,</p><p>“Butler has that kind of talent. But unlike some past Warriors who have needed to be seen as ‘the man,’ he doesn’t operate in that space. ‘I have no ego. I’m not the No. 1 option, I’m great with that — I know my role,’ Butler said. ‘I know who I am as a person. I know who I am as a basketball player, as a businessman. I know my role. What do y’all need me to do? Dray, Steph, Steve — what do you need me to do? That’s part of being a vet. That’s part of winning. But more importantly, that’s part of knowing that ego gets you nowhere. Ego is the enemy.’”</p><h2><b>Ann Killion’s remarks draw attention for seemingly referencing Rockets star Kevin Durant</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/KD.jpg"><figcaption>Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>The passage drew attention online, as many fans interpreted the “past Warriors” remark as a subtle reference to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/houston-rockets/rockets-news-demarcus-cousins-makes-bold-kevin-durant-age-37-prediction">Durant, who now plays for the Rockets after an offseason trade</a> from the Phoenix Suns. Durant spent three seasons with Golden State from 2016 to 2019, helping lead the franchise to two NBA championships and earning Finals MVP honors both years.</p><p>Despite his success, Durant’s time in the Bay Area was often accompanied by speculation about his chemistry with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Reports of friction during the 2018-19 campaign followed him until his eventual departure to the Brooklyn Nets and later stints with Phoenix and Houston.</p><p>Killion’s remarks arrive as <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-jimmy-butler-heat-trade">Butler becomes the latest All-Star to join Golden State’s core</a> of Curry and Green. Since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-full-jimmy-butler-trade-details-nba-approval">arriving from the Miami Heat in a February 2025 trade</a>, Butler has embraced a role centered on defense, leadership, and versatility rather than asserting himself as the primary scoring option.</p><h2><b>Jimmy Butler’s team-first approach ushers in a new era for the Warriors</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Warriors-2.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>In 30 games with the Warriors last season, Butler averaged 17.9 points, 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game while shooting 47.6% from the field. His impact helped the team close the regular season on a 23-7 run, securing a 48-34 record and the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference.</p><p>As Golden State enters the new season, Butler’s unselfish mentality has drawn praise from both teammates and head coach Steve Kerr. The Warriors’ veteran core believes his approach could extend the franchise’s championship window and restore its trademark chemistry.</p><p>Whether Killion’s phrasing was a deliberate shot at Durant remains unclear, but her column underscores how the shadow of the team’s past success still lingers. With Durant now leading a reloaded Rockets squad in Houston and Butler settling into his role in Golden State, both stars are set to define new eras for their respective teams as the 2025-26 NBA season begins.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
26.3	6.0	2.3	0.3	1.3

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
26.3	6.0	2.3	0.3	1.3

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