Kevin Durant set the tone for the Houston Rockets’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, saying the postseason starts with the basics. “Winning every day is the most important thing,” Durant said, adding that Houston’s “main objective is to win a title” but only after handling each day first.
The Rockets enter the series as the West’s No. 5 seed at 52-30, while Durant has been one of the league’s most efficient stars all season at 26.0 points per game. Against a Lakers team dealing with injuries, he said the Rockets cannot afford to relax just because the matchup looks different on paper.
“You can’t do that unless you take care of each day first,” Durant said. “So winning the day is important.”
Durant also dismissed the idea that the spotlight changes the task. “No, it’s just basketball at the end of the day,” he said. “Obviously this is the biggest stage of basketball and there’s a lot that comes around the game. But at the end of the day when that ball is tipped up, it’s just basketball.”
That mindset matches Houston’s approach under head coach Ime Udoka, whom Durant praised for his detail-oriented style. “Just his attention to detail, how he loves the game,” Durant said. “He’s a guy that studies the game, watches the game, understands it on a different level.”
Durant also pointed to Udoka’s ability to manage both the locker room and the X’s and O’s. “Know how to speak to the team, know how to write X’s and O’s, out of timeout plays, draw up a good system for offense and defense, create a good culture in the locker room,” Durant said. “I think he’s done all those things pretty well.”
The veteran forward said the Rockets’ younger players have helped him as much as he has helped them. “This is my first year and these guys have been playing in the NBA for a couple of years,” Durant said. “So the style of play, I learn from these guys.”
For Houston’s young core, Durant stressed the value of playoff reps. “Jump in the fire and let’s see what happens, man,” he said. “They got a taste of it last year, understood what it’s like.”
Durant also made clear that the Lakers still demand respect, even with key players sidelined. “We’re not looking at this team like they’re not a good team,” he said. “We got to come out and respect these guys like they are the Lukas and the Austin Reaves that can have that impact.”
With Game 1 set for Saturday at Crypto.com Arena, Durant said the Rockets know the assignment. “Game one is the most important in any series,” he said. “So we got to have that mindset.”
He closed with perspective after missing last year’s playoff run. “I’m just grateful to be in this position,” Durant said. “When you get on the court and you get a chance to be healthy you want to go out there and take advantage of that opportunity.”
