Durant Returns As Rockets Continue Rolling

OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – OCTOBER 21: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets looks to pass during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on October 21, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)

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Rockets forward Kevin Durant returned on Sunday, after missing the team’s previous two games, and the Rockets responded by pumelling the Utah Jazz 129-101 in what felt like an effortless victory. It was the Rockets’ third win in a row. The Rockets went 2-0 last week, without Durant, beating Phoenix 114-92 and then Golden State 104-100. Sunday’s victory pushed Houston’s record to 13-4 on the young season. They are third in the Western Conference behind the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets take on the Jazz in a rematch on Monday. They will continue against the soft part of their schedule later in the week by hosting the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, the Phoenix Suns on Friday, and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. This is a real shot for the Rockets to fatten up their record heading into the new year.

As of Sunday, the Rockets are second in the league in net rating at +2.0 (behind Oklahoma City), second in offensive rating at 122.3 (behind the Denver Nuggets), and second in defense at 110.3 (behind the Oklahoma City Thunder). Roughly 20 games into the season, the Rockets have cemented themselves as one of the elite teams in the NBA and on a collision course with the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Muscle Off The Bench

Steven Adams, signed to a three-year, $39 million contract this offseason, is having one of the most productive seasons in the league of any player coming off the bench. Adams is currently averaging 9.2 rebounds per game in just 21.9 minutes per game, fueling Houston’s historic offensive rebounding rate. The Rockets have been pummeling teams on the boards as a major weapon to their league leading offense and Adams has been a major part of that, if not the biggest catalyst. Head coach Ime Udoka has also sometimes used Adams as a starter next to center Alperen Sengun in a double big lineup when wanting to assert the team’s physicality and size from the opening tip.

Adams earns just $14.13 million this season and is signed through the 2027-2028 season when he will still just be 34 years old. So far, he’s looking like one of the biggest bargains in the league.

Acquired at the trade deadline last season for just second round picks and cap relief, from the Memphis Grizzlies, Adams has been a revelation for Udoka since his acquisition, serving as both a veteran influence in the lockerroom and additional muscle on the frontline. The Rockets hope to keep Adams healthy and fresh heading into the postseason.