Houston Rockets' Kevin Durant takes responsibility for team's loss to Lakers Kevin Durant admitted fault for the Houston Rockets' 100-92 home defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, citing his own performance as the primary reason for the loss. The 37-year-old forward acknowledged that he failed to carry the offense effectively, particularly in the second half, and emphasized the need for improvement in his approach to the game. " I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight," Durant said. "It's that simple. Of course we probably could make more threes, but it's on me. I mean, to be honest, I'm the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable." Durant explained that he had become too reliant on isolation plays and pick-and-roll situations in the first half, which the Lakers disrupted in the second half. He acknowledged the need to be more versatile, shooting over double-teams, spacing the floor, and being available as a screener or dunker for his teammates. Durant, who has remained a key contributor in his 18th NBA season, was held to 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting and committed a team-high seven turnovers. His struggles were most evident in the second half, where he scored just two points. The Rockets managed only 35 points in the second half, including 12 in the final quarter, as the Lakers' defense forced 22 turnovers and limited Houston to 19% shooting from beyond the arc. The Lakers, despite having defensive issues throughout the season, executed their game plan effectively against the Rockets. Their victory extended their winning streak to six games and widened their lead over Houston in the Western Conference standings to 1.5 games.#lebron_james #luka_doncic #los_angeles_lakers #kevin_durant #houston_rockets
Rockets' Kevin Durant admits he 'lost the game' in loss to Lakers The Houston Rockets suffered a crucial setback against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night, dropping them further behind L.A. in the race for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. The Lakers now hold a 1.5-game lead over Houston, which has struggled in its last 10 games with a 5-5 record. The Rockets also trail the Nuggets and Timberwolves by a half-game for the No. 4 spot in the West. The loss was attributed to a stagnant offensive performance by Houston, with Kevin Durant taking full responsibility for the team's struggles. Durant, who finished with just 18 points and seven turnovers, admitted he felt like he single-handedly cost the Rockets the game. "I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight," Durant said after the contest. "It's that simple. Of course we probably could make more 3s, but it's on me. I mean, to be honest, I'm the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable." Durant’s uncharacteristic performance was marked by his inability to score efficiently in the second half, where he managed just two points. The Lakers’ defensive strategy of using two defenders to guard him throughout the game disrupted Houston’s rhythm. Despite Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson combining for 41 points, the Rockets couldn’t overcome the challenge. "First half, I got comfortable in iso, comfortable coming off of pindowns, pick-and-rolls, and they decided not to let me get comfortable no more," Durant explained. "So I got to be smarter, better with the ball.#los_angeles_lakers #kevin_durant #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun #fred_vanvleet
Kevin Durant takes blame as Lakers disrupt Rockets' offense The Los Angeles Lakers' defensive strategy in the fourth quarter of Monday night's game against the Houston Rockets left Kevin Durant searching for answers, as the Rockets' offense struggled under relentless double-teams. The Lakers, aiming to solidify their defensive identity after a shaky season, focused their efforts on limiting Durant's impact, a decision that backfired spectacularly for Houston. The Rockets committed nine turnovers and scored just 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting in the final frame, allowing the Lakers to extend their winning streak to six games with a 100-92 victory at the Toyota Center. Durant, who finished with 18 points, admitted he felt responsible for the loss. "I just felt like I lost the game for us tonight," he said. "It's that simple. Of course we probably could make more 3s, but it's on me. I mean, to be honest, I'm the offense and the opposing team is going to use all their resources and not let me get comfortable." Durant scored only two of his points in the second half and committed seven of the Rockets' 24 turnovers. He acknowledged the challenge of adapting to the Lakers' defensive tactics, which forced him to adjust his approach. "First half, I got comfortable in iso, comfortable coming off of pindowns, pick-and-rolls, and they decided not to let me get comfortable no more. So I got to be smarter, better with the ball. I got to maybe shoot over some of them double-teams, but space out, be ready to catch and shoot, be ready to be a screener, just be in a dunker spot, just being able to be there as a resource for my teammates to provide space. I didn't need to have the ball as much as I did tonight." The Lakers' defensive improvements have been critical to their recent success.#los_angeles_lakers #jj_redick #kevin_durant #houston_rockets #alperen_sengun
AJ Dybantsa Breaks Kevin Durant's Scoring Record During BYU's Big 12 Tournament Win vs. KSU BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa made an impressive debut in the college basketball postseason, scoring 40 points in the first round of the Big 12 tournament as the Cougars defeated Kansas State 105-91. His performance set a new Big 12 tournament record for a freshman, surpassing the previous mark held by former Texas star and future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant. Dybantsa’s 40-point effort highlighted his ability to dominate in high-stakes games, placing him in elite company among college basketball legends. The victory over Kansas State marked a significant milestone for BYU, as Dybantsa’s scoring output not only broke Durant’s tournament record but also solidified his status as one of the most talented freshmen in the nation. His 40 points came on a mix of efficient shooting and clutch plays, showcasing his versatility and composure under pressure. The Cougars’ 105-91 win underscored the impact of Dybantsa’s performance, as BYU’s offense surged with his contributions. Beyond the tournament record, Dybantsa’s season has already reached historic proportions. He became just the 10th freshman in Division I history to score 800 points in a single season, a testament to his consistency and skill. This achievement places him among the rarest talents in college basketball, with few players achieving such milestones at such an early stage in their careers. Dybantsa’s breakout game against Kansas State also reflected his growing role as a key player for BYU. His ability to carry the team in critical moments demonstrated the potential for him to be a cornerstone of the Cougars’ future success. As the Big 12 tournament progresses, his performance could position BYU as a serious contender in the conference race.#kansas_state #big_12_tournament #aj_dybantsa #byu #kevin_durant
BYU Star Freshman AJ Dybantsa Dominates Big 12 Tournament with 40-Point Performance BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa delivered a career-defining performance in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament, scoring 40 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out six assists in a 105-91 victory over Kansas State. The 6-foot-8 forward’s effort broke the previous record for points scored by a freshman in a Big 12 Tournament game, previously held by Kevin Durant, who scored 37 points in a 2007 title game against Kansas. Dybantsa’s 40-point outburst came after he took 21 shots, making 15 of them, showcasing his ability to dominate on both ends of the floor. Dybantsa’s season has been nothing short of spectacular, with averages of 25.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 52% from the field. His production has drawn comparisons to past Naismith Award winners, including Durant and Doug McDermott, who were also standout performers despite not being on top-10 teams. While Duke’s Cameron Boozer remains the favorite for the award, Dybantsa’s impact has positioned him as a legitimate contender, especially if his team continues its strong play. BYU’s ranking in the CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 rankings has climbed to No. 26, with Duke remaining at No. 1 for the 18th consecutive day. The Cougars’ next challenge will be a second-round matchup against West Virginia, set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET. Coach Kevin Young praised Dybantsa’s all-around performance, calling him “a candidate to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.” The Top 25 And 1 rankings also highlighted other standout performances. Cameron Boozer led Duke with 26 points and 15 rebounds in a 76-61 win over North Carolina, while Yaxel Lendeborg poured in 27 points for Michigan State in a 90-80 victory over Michigan.#big_12_tournament #aj_dybantsa #byu #kevin_durant #cbs_sports_top_25_and_1
