Kevin Durant praised the Houston Rockets’ collective performance after a 122-115 road victory against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday at Fiserv Forum.
“Complete team win…everybody who played tonight feel like they played a huge part to this win,” Durant said, highlighting contributions across the roster.
Durant led the way with 31 points and a season-high seven assists, including a decisive pull-up jumper late in the fourth quarter. He credited his teammates for timely shots that shifted momentum. “You got to give guys credit who make timely threes…we kept our poise and were able to make them miss there late in the game,” he explained.
Alperen Sengun anchored Houston’s interior with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard each scored 16 to help the Rockets overcome a deficit that lasted most of the night. Durant also highlighted the role of the team’s big men, including Steven Adams and Clint Capela, in executing screens and offensive rebounds.
The Rockets simplified their offense in the second half, which Durant said helped reduce turnovers and maintain spacing. “Once we got good spacing and simplified what we were doing, we usually keep the ball in our hands and get a good shot up,” he said. Houston outscored Milwaukee 22-7 over the final 4:33 to secure the win.
Durant emphasized the team’s growth and chemistry, noting the importance of overcoming early-season adversity. “Losing together is tough, but it brings you together as a group. Wins are just a product of that balance,” he said.
Ryan Rollins scored 19 points for Milwaukee, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 37 points and eight rebounds, but the Bucks struggled at the free-throw line, going 14 of 24, with Antetokounmpo missing two crucial attempts in the final 89 seconds. Durant said the Rockets’ defensive adjustments and late-game execution helped them maintain control despite Milwaukee shooting 55.7% overall.
Durant also praised the performance of Alperen Sengun against top European talent in Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks, noting his focus on basketball rather than narratives about nationality. “He’s a gamer no matter who’s on the floor…we’re all basketball players. We’re a brotherhood no matter if we compete against each other or not,” Durant said.
Houston improved to 6-3, while Milwaukee fell to 6-4 and faces a road matchup at Dallas on Monday. The Rockets return home for three straight games beginning Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.
