Rockets’ 5-0 start comes with encouraging news for Kevin Durant

October 29, 2026

Kevin Durant doesn’t have to do everything for the Rockets. Five games into the season, that might be the most encouraging thing about them.

Houston is 5-0 for the first time since 2014-15, and as William Guillory of The Athletic explains, the improvement involves more than Durant making difficult shots.

Through four games, Durant’s usage rate was a career-low 24.3%, Guillory notes. Alperen Sengun was averaging 24.5 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Fred VanVleet’s return helped organize the offense.

Basically, Houston has more people capable of getting a good possession started. Durant can still finish one whenever necessary. That’s a useful arrangement for a 38-year-old whose most important basketball should come in the spring.

Guillory views Sengun’s increased assertiveness as sustainable, even if his shooting percentages cool. VanVleet is helping get him the ball closer to the basket, with enough space to work.

Sengun’s back strain interrupts that progress, but Houston still beat Milwaukee by 32 without him Wednesday.

That said, there’s still some concern. Guillory notes that turnovers have fueled easy opposing baskets and that opponents’ poor three-point shooting has helped cover some defensive issues.

The depth is more encouraging. Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason have been productive together, giving Houston another way to generate offense and energy.

Five wins won’t establish the Rockets as the West’s best team. But winning without asking Durant to carry every possession gives them a pretty good reason to keep exploring the possibility.