Despite falling short against the Golden State Warriors in a winner-take-all series during last playoff run, the Houston Rockets got off to a great start, winning their preseason debut against the Atlanta Hawks, 122-113.
Alperen Sengun led the Rockets with 19 points, six assists, and five boards, while Amen Thompson had 11 points, three assists, and two boards.
The two young stars became the prominent faces of the Rockets after Jalen Green was traded to the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant.
The 37-year-old superstar is expected to bring veteran leadership to Houston, helping the young core make a championship run.
Sengun said that Durant was no longer on their lists, as they were having trouble playing against him.
“Now I know how we were worried about guarding KD when we’re playing against him,” Sengun said, per ESPN’s Vanessa Richardson. “Now, we don’t have to worry about that [guarding KD]. Other teams have to worry about that. I am just gonna help him as much as I can, and I’m sure he will help everybody.”
Houston Rockets head tactician Ime Udoka also commended Durant’s consistency as a superstar over the years.
“You’ve seen the numbers… and the points that he averages, he kind of does that in his sleep,” Udoka said. “Just those two aspects alone will obviously improve our consistency across the board.”
For Thompson, it has been a motivation to work harder, as Durant seems to be maintaining his best version, although age is catching up to him.
“I mean, sometimes I would think I was going hard and I watch KD and he’s damn near 40 going harder. He is still one of the best players in the league right now,”
The two-time NBA champion will play in his Rockets uniform debut against the Utah Jazz tonight.
