The Golden State Warriors raised their second championship banner in three years on Tuesday night, but Kevin Durant raised up and fired a shot just a bit too late for the Dubs to get an opening night win over the Houston Rockets.
Despite leading by as many as 17, the Rockets fought back down the stretch to beat Golden State, 122-121, at Oracle Arena after outscoring the Warriors 34-20 in the fourth quarter.
Houston got big shots from Eric Gordon and took a one-point lead on a pair of PJ Tucker free throws that gave the Warriors a chance to take the last shot. Stephen Curry fired a three off a screen that didn’t go. It sent up a wild scramble in the game’s final seconds, and Durant managed to get free and put up a shot at the buzzer.
No Good Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/CU7rL4kRbB
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) October 18, 2017
To the naked eye it looked like a dagger for Durant and the Dubs, but the replay made it immediately clear that the red light was aglow with the ball still in Durant’s hands.
Ball still in KD's hand pic.twitter.com/tqZe9KUDcE
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) October 18, 2017
Durant’s shot was true, but the ball was still in his right hand, so officials took the points off the board and gave Houston the win.
It was clear this was a big victory for the Rockets on opening night.
James Harden, Chris Paul & the @houstonrockets celebrate a wild season-opening #Rockets WIN! pic.twitter.com/rCLuKFt1iU
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2017
Harden had 27 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds in the opening night win. It was a tremendous game to open the 2017 season, but one that might have consequences for both teams. Chris Paul was on the bench for Houston in crunch time, and Draymond Green left the game for the Warriors in the third quarter with a knee injury.
Durant’s tardiness and Green’s injury may have spoiled the Warriors’ opening championship celebration, but the wins will come for this team. Just not on opening night.
