Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant Are Already Showing They Will Be Hard Duo to Stop

The Houston Rockets started the 2025 preseason with a 2-0 record after wins against the Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz, following an offseason trade for Kevin Durant that transformed them into a championship contender.

In the preseason opener against the Hawks, Durant was ruled out just before the game, but Alperen Sengun led the Rockets to victory with 19 points and six assists in only half a game.

Durant made his Rockets debut in the second game against the Jazz, scoring 20 points over three quarters after missing his first three shots and then making his next seven shots consecutively.

His efficient performance was highlighted by effective two-person actions with Sengun, as Coach Ime Udoka strategically placed them on the same side of the court to exploit defensive mismatches and prevent double-teams.

Examples from the game showed how Sengun's ability to draw defenders created open opportunities for Durant, such as driving lanes and wide-open three-pointers, demonstrating the challenges opponents will face in defending their partnership.

After the game, Durant commented on the synergy with Sengun, noting that defenses focusing on one player opens up space for the other, making their offensive game more effective.

Although it was only a preseason game, the dominance displayed by Durant and Sengun together suggests it could translate to success in the regular season.

The Rockets have a break before resuming play on the 14th for their final two preseason games of 2025.