Following the 2024-25 NBA season, the Houston Rockets faced an urgent need to enhance their scoring options after a surprising first-round playoff loss as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The team’s youthful roster struggled with consistency, highlighting the necessity for a proven star to complement their emerging talent, Alperen Sengun.
Kevin Durant Arrives to Bolster Rockets’ Offensive Firepower
The Houston Rockets addressed their offensive challenges by acquiring Kevin Durant, a player widely regarded as one of the best scorers in NBA history. Despite being 36 years old, Durant maintained an elite level of performance, averaging 26.6 points and 4.2 assists per game while shooting efficiently at 52.7% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range.
Alperen Sengun’s All-Star Breakthrough Strengthens the Duo
Alperen Sengun also delivered an outstanding season, securing his first All-Star game selection. The Turkish center demonstrated his versatile game by averaging 19.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per contest. Together, Durant and Sengun quickly established themselves as one of the league’s most effective pairings on offense.
Ranking the Durant-Sengun Partnership Among NBA’s Best Duos
While many veteran tandems have long proven their dominance in the NBA, Durant and Sengun have rapidly gained recognition. The duo is being considered among the league’s top five duos, especially given the injuries sidelining players like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Established pairs such as LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, and Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray remain benchmarks in this conversation.
Durant and Sengun are viewed as competitive with other notable duos including Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Their blend of Durant’s scoring mastery and Sengun’s all-around offensive game makes a compelling case for ranking them as the fourth or fifth best team pairing for the 2025-26 season.
Future Outlook for the Rockets and Their Star Duo
Although the current top five duo status benefits from some key absences due to injury league-wide, the Houston Rockets must focus on overall team success for sustained advancement. As NBA teams increasingly emphasize roster depth beyond star power, Durant and Sengun’s ability to elevate the team will be crucial moving forward.
Additionally, the revised All-Star selection format could influence the visibility of the duo, but both players are expected to compete strongly for spots in the upcoming February festivities, underscoring their rising prominence within the league.