Kevin Durant silenced a postgame inquiry regarding his limited shot volume following the Houston Rockets’ 109-93 victory over the Boston Celtics on Monday night. Despite scoring a season-low 12 points on efficient 5-of-6 shooting, Durant emphasized that the team’s offensive variety was the primary driver of the win. He noted that this was the third time in the last four games he attempted fewer than 10 field goals, yet Houston secured decisive victories in all three instances, highlighting a shift in focus from individual scoring to collective execution.
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The tension peaked when Houston Chronicle reporter Varun Shankar asked about the balance between Durant’s reduced usage and the team’s broader offensive flow. Durant immediately challenged the premise, asking, “Why does that matter to you?” Even after Shankar noted Durant’s status as the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history, the All-Star pressed his point, demanding to know why the reporter was singling him out. Durant argued that isolating his performance ignored the team’s overall success and the contributions of other players who had varying shooting nights.
Durant further defended the team’s dynamic by citing teammate Jabari Smith Jr., who scored 30 points in the previous game but only 14 in the latest matchup. “You want to talk about his variety? What does that have to do with anything?” Durant questioned, accusing the media of fixating on his personal stats rather than the collective win. The exchange underscored Durant’s commitment to prioritizing team results over individual metrics, a narrative that aligns with Houston’s recent trend of winning big games despite star players taking a backseat to the offensive system.
Source: Yahoo Sports
