Much like the unpredictable tension of a BD Cricket Match, the Houston Rockets’ season has already taken a dramatic turn — but not in the direction they hoped. Despite Kevin Durant’s 37-point performance, the team fell 111–115 at home to the Detroit Pistons, suffering their second straight loss to open the season. After a double-overtime heartbreaker against the defending champion Thunder in the opener, this latest defeat has raised real concerns. For a roster built over the summer with championship ambitions, reality has hit hard, and four clear truths are emerging that the Rockets must face sooner rather than later.

The first problem is the glaring weakness at point guard. With Fred VanVleet sidelined by a serious injury, last year’s lottery pick Sheppard was thrown into the spotlight. The coaching staff had hoped he could temporarily stabilize the rotation, but his performances have been disastrous. After shooting 27.3 percent for just nine points in his debut, he followed up with another inefficient game: 3-of-11 from the field, missing all seven of his two-point attempts, and again finishing with nine points, two rebounds, and a single assist. His lack of explosiveness makes it easy for defenders to contain him, and without dribble penetration, he’s been reduced to harmless perimeter passing. On both ends, his physical limitations — short wingspan, weak upper body — have been painfully exposed.

That brings us to the second truth: the Rockets’ system falls apart without VanVleet. His absence has left the team’s offensive and defensive balance in ruins. Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün were forced into unfamiliar roles, and both struggled. Thompson hit only 2-of-8 shots, looking lost as a makeshift point guard, while Şengün, shifted to power forward, focused too much on fancy moves instead of his efficient post play, shooting 5-of-18 overall. Without structure or rhythm, Houston’s half-court sets looked like a team still trying to learn each other’s names.

Three-point shooting is the third major concern — a weakness that has haunted the Rockets for years. With Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green gone, and Dorian Finney-Smith still injured, Durant stands as the lone reliable shooter. Even so, he hit 50 percent from the field under suffocating defensive pressure, while his teammates shot a combined 25 percent (13-for-51). The lack of spacing forced Durant into constant isolation plays, draining his energy. Coach Ime Udoka admitted postgame that too many players ignored open looks and forced bad shots instead — a sign of poor chemistry and decision-making.

The final and most sobering truth is that the Rockets can’t keep leaning on a 37-year-old Durant to carry them every night. He poured in 60 points over the first two games, proving his class hasn’t faded, but the toll is evident. Without a capable floor general or consistent support, even a legend has limits. During the final moments against Detroit, Durant sat apart from his teammates on the bench, gesturing in frustration toward young players like Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., Thompson, and Şengün. His expression said what his words didn’t: time is running out — not just in the game, but in his career.

Just as every BD Cricket Match reminds fans that one player alone can’t win the day, the Rockets must understand that Durant’s brilliance can’t mask their flaws forever. The team’s younger core must step up, take ownership, and relieve the burden from their veteran leader. Otherwise, what began as a season of bold expectations could quickly unravel into another year of wasted potential — and for Durant, there may not be many chances left to chase the glory he still burns for.