What did Kevin Durant say at 2026 Houston Rockets Media Day?

Last season, Durant was second in the NBA in total minutes played with 2,840, and he was third in minutes per game at 36.4. When he sat down at Rockets media day on Tuesday, he was asked if, with a healthier and deeper Houston roster, the goal was to keep his minutes down this season.

"I'm better on the court. The team is better when I'm on the court," Durant said, pushing back on the idea of a minutes reduction. "Now, if we handle our business the first three quarters, then or earlier in the game, then maybe. But just for the sake of get my minutes, just because, 'Oh, he's older' or he played a lot of minutes — that's what I'm supposed to be training for is to play the long haul. Play 48 minutes a night.

"I get the concern. But you know, if the game needs me to be out there, I want to be out there."