Kevin Durant is putting in a demanding offseason with the Houston Rockets, with his trainer calling his continued improvement "crazy." The Rockets are coming off a 78-98 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on 2026 05 02, a defeat that sealed their first round playoff exit. Trainer Dash Lovell provided a detailed look at the 37 year old's rigorous preparation for the 2026 27 campaign.
What is Kevin Durant working on this summer?
Dash Lovell, Durant's longtime trainer, says the forward's defining trait is a Hall of Fame level desire to learn. "You never see a Hall of Famer look at you and say, 'Am I doing this correctly?'" Lovell told R.org. He wants to be taught at this age. This mindset fuels daily progress in the gym.
Lovell explained the specific drills Durant is facing. The focus is on handling intense defensive pressure. "We've been doing a lot of great stuff this summer, throwing a lot of double teams at him, guarding him live, and filling up the gaps on the floor to make him have to play in small, tight spaces," Lovell said. The goal is to sharpen his decision making and scoring ability against crowded defenses.
How did Durant perform in his first Houston Rockets season?
Statistically, Durant's first year in Houston was highly productive. He played 78 games, averaging 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He shot 87.4% from the free throw line. Those numbers helped Houston finish fifth in the West with a 52 30 record.
The playoffs, however, were derailed by injury. Durant suffered a right knee contusion before Game 1 against the Lakers. He returned for Game 2 but then sprained his left ankle, sidelining him for the rest of the series. He appeared in just one game as the Rockets lost in six.
Lovell argued those injuries limited Durant's impact on the series outcome. The team's recent form of two wins and three losses (LWWLL) reflects the inconsistent end to their season. You can review the full playoff journey and team stats on our [stats](/stats) page.
What is Durant's mindset after the playoff loss?
Durant himself addressed how he handles criticism during a seminar with O.U.R. Mothers. "I just do it. It's that simple," Durant told Houston Rockets On SI. He leans on his life experiences to stay grounded. His current purpose is clear. "My purpose right now, at this moment, is being the best basketball player that I can be."
He aims to set a strong example on the court and let everything else follow. This aligns perfectly with the work ethic Lovell describes in their sessions.
What comes next for the Houston Rockets?
With training camp approaching, Durant's health and conditioning appear to be a priority. Lovell praised the work of the ProActive team in keeping Durant strong. The veteran's availability will be key for a Rockets squad aiming to advance deeper in the postseason.
The Western Conference remains fiercely competitive. Houston will need Durant's elite scoring and the benefits of his offseason work to improve their standing. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule and the latest [injuries](/injuries) report as the new season gets closer. The focus is on turning a strong regular season into playoff success.
