Kevin Durant comes up short where the Rockets need him the most

The Houston Rockets suffered a nail-biting loss to the Nuggets on Friday. If Kevin Durant had delivered, the outcome might have been different.

That's not to square the entire loss on his shoulders. That would not be fair. Alperen Sengun also came up short in this contest with just 14 points.

The Rockets' two best players have different roles. Sengun is supposed to keep the engine humming throughout an entire contest. Durant is supposed to carry the Rockets down the stretch when the chips are on the table.

He did not do that on Friday night.

Rockets lose a close contest, no thanks to Durant

Durant is supposed to be the clutch scorer. On Friday, he was anything but. The Slim Reaper didn't manage to convert a field goal in the fourth quarter.

He only attempted three. Durant looked overly deferential to his teammates. He did not display an alpha scorer's mentality.

In some ways, it has been a consistently positive quality throughout Durant's career. His shot selection is pristine. Durant seldom forces the issue, and that's part of why he's among the most efficient volume scorers in NBA history.

That's great - but when it's go time, it's go time. The Rockets needed Durant to attempt more than three field goals in the fourth quarter of this contest. If he'd "emptied the clip" and it hadn't worked, we'd at least be able to agree that he tried his best.

Did any Rocket shine in this contest?

Rockets have a young future star in waiting

If you're reading this, you know that was a rhetorical question.

Reed Sheppard was electrifying in this contest. He finished with 27 points on 9/13 shooting from the field and 5/8 shooting from long range.

Sheppard is beginning to pose some questions. Questions like "should he be starting this year?", as well as bigger ones, like:

"Is this a franchise player?".

It's been the most exciting component of the 2025-26 season so far. Sheppard has been fantastic:

But the Rockets can only rely on him so much this season.

Rockets can't lean on a sophomore to win

In 2025-26, the Rockets will go as far as Durant, Sengun, and (to a lesser extent) Amen Thompson will take them.

That's the nature of the NBA. More experienced players are expected to carry the day. Any production from Sheppard is a bonus.

There's nothing to panic about here. Durant can have an off night. The Rockets lost to one of the only teams presumed to be on their level by three points.

When they meet again, Durant needs to leave trepidation at the door in the clutch.