Rockets star Kevin Durant will miss the next two games as he tends to a family matter, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (via Twitter).
Houston plays at Phoenix on Monday and at Golden State on Wednesday.
Durant continues to produce at a high level in his age-37 season. In 14 games (36.1 minutes per contest) so far with the Rockets, the 15-time All-Star has averaged 24.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steal, with a shooting line of .485/.364/.800.
While Durant has long been admired for his tremendous work ethic, he often preferred to lead by example. Being with a younger group in Houston has required the future Hall of Famer to become a more vocal leader, writes Kelly Iko of Yahoo Sports.
“I got more comfortable speaking up when I see stuff,” Durant said. “I feel like I study the game a lot. I’ve been through every situation and experienced every situation. So I feel like that’s given me more confidence to speak up when I see things and to help my teammates as much as possible. But it’s just been a natural progression of me just being comfortable in the locker room, and also my teammates being open-minded to hear what I have to say.”
According to Iko, Durant is “particularly fond” of second-year guard Reed Sheppard, who has been playing excellent basketball over the past few weeks.
“Knowing the kind of person he is and how much confidence he’s given me is really cool,” said Sheppard, the second overall pick in the 2024 draft.
The Rockets will be shorthanded at forward with Durant out and Dorian Finney-Smith (offseason ankle surgery) and Tari Eason (oblique strain) recovering from injuries. Veterans Jae’Sean Tate and Jeff Green could receive more minutes in the short term, though Tate would need to be recalled from his G League assignment.
This will be interesting for Rockets. Eason is out too.
Get well KD …….
There it is. Wondering when he was going to call in and take PTO.
Bro he is 37 It’s not expected to play all 82 games this year. It’s okay to miss. Probably at least 10 games at this age if he’s playing for championship which he is
Tell that to Bill Russell
Durant has played all 82 games in a season before. Something Bill Russell never did.
Houston needs Jrue Holiday
Bill Russell retired from the NBA at age 35, so he didn’t play in any NBA games at the age of 37, like Kevin Durant is doing. (While KD’s also still playing at a high level.) Durant’s also missing two games due to family issues, not injury, or simple resting. That being said, all props to Bill Russell (and his 11 championship titles), one of the greatest NBA players of all time (who admittedly had nothing left to prove when he retired).
Missing games at Phoenix and Golden State. What a coincidence. Prolly will also be a no-show at Brooklyn on New Year’s….