Four Overreactions to the Rockets Game One Double OT Loss

It’s basketball season. It’s game one. The Rockets are hyped this year and were playing the defending champions on their ring night on national TV. So, of course there are going to be overreactions no matter what happened. But, it doesn’t mean at least some of them aren’t justified.

Thing is, what happened is the Rockets nearly took out the champs in a double overtime thriller. If this is anything like what this season will be, well, get the antacid ready and maybe keep your cardiologist in your phone favorites.

Fans were mostly mixed in their reactions, but the tendency to freak out definitely happens, so let’s dive into four of the notable early season panic mode narratives and whether or not they have real merit.

Kevin Durant didn’t touch the ball enough, especially in crunch time.

Validity: 3 out of 10

Lou Dort is one of the league’s most tenacious defenders and he spent all night living inside Durant’s shorts. He denied him the ball over and over. Rarely will the Rockets face a defense like they did in Oklahoma City. It could be argued these are the two best defenses in basketball squaring off, so it’s no surprise they both had their struggles on offense. Undoubtedly, Durant will find his footing and begin asserting himself as the season moves along, but on one night, anyone can be shut down. Conversely, Alperen Sengun went OFF for 39, which is what happens when you have multiple studs in your lineup. This is something that will solve itself in time.

This team still doesn’t shoot well.

Validity: 6 out of 10

Speaking of Sengun, not only did he hit a career five threes, but he looked absolutely comfortable taking them. If he can shoot even close to this over the course of the season, his transition to Jokic-lite may be complete. The problem is, take away Sengun’s 5-8 from downtown and you’re left with the rest of the team going 6-31 including 0-11 from Durant and Amen Thompson, who launched 7 threes. Reed Sheppard went 2-7 and Jabari Smith, Jr. 2-6. Tari Eason, 1-4, in a particularly bad outing for him.

Some of these numbers will improve. Durant is a good distance shooter and Smith should be solid again this season. The jury is out on Sheppard (more on that in a minute) and Eason. Anything we get from Thompson is gravy. But, this is still a team that will rely on offensive rebounding and defense to win games. If anyone thought they would suddenly vault to the top 10 in shooting, they were fooling themselves, especially against a team as good as the Thunder.

Reed Sheppard is a bust.

Validity: 4 out of 10

We can all agree the 2024 draft was…well…not great. Sheppard was drafted third to a team that didn’t really need another rookie, but hoped he could become a solid point guard option and, in particular, sniper. While he improved as his rookie season went on, we are still looking at a very young, very inexperienced player on the floor. It showed in his first game of the 2025-26 season. He had 9 points and 4 assists with 2 turnovers, but defensively, he looked overmatched against the champs.

To be fair to Sheppard, he probably wouldn’t have gotten heavy minutes in OKC (27 total) if not for the FVV injury. He did what he could to manage what must have been an overwhelming situation in a playoff atmosphere despite what the calendar said. It was trial by fire and he got burned. But, don’t assume that he cannot contribute. This team will be good with or without Sheppard, but they would be better if they can get something from him, particularly in the dog days of the season when they will need his energy and shooting.

Our point guard spot is a problem.

Validity: 7 out of 10

We knew this. Fred VanVleet’s injury is a problem for the Rockets. His presence on the floor and his knack for not turning the ball over will be sorely missed. We saw it on night one when the team turned the ball over 20 times before overtime. But, the problem isn’t just FVV, it’s the depth issues that he created when he was injured just weeks before training camp.

Most believe that Amen Thompson will make more than a capable replacement and his size makes the Rockets opening night lineup the tallest in NBA history. The bigger concern is what to do when Thompson isn’t on the floor. Sheppard will have to step up, but if he is unable, that leaves Aaron Holiday, a capable backup, but not for extended minutes. And if Thompson misses any time — his end-of-game leg cramps were a problem in game one — this will become an even more glaring weakness.

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