Injuries to veterans impact Rockets’ locker room dynamics

Injuries to Fred VanVleet ahead of the season and Steven Adams during the year had a larger effect on the Houston Rockets than just their absence on the court, according to Ramona Shelburne and Tim MacMahon of ESPN.

Without those experienced leaders available, the team lacked a steadying presence, which sources say made it harder to manage Kevin Durant’s “moodiness,” something that began to affect younger players as the season progressed.

Durant still produced at a high level, providing the scoring punch Houston had been missing and leading the team with averages of 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 78 games.

However, the overall team chemistry behind the scenes became “increasingly complex” over time.