Kevin Durant leads Rockets struggles as stats explain Game 2 loss to Lakers

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Despite Kevin Durant's return to the lineup, the result didn't change for the Houston Rockets as they went down against Luka Doncic-less Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the NBA playoffs. The Lakers went up 2-0 in the playoff series with the 101-94 win on Tuesday night.

Durant, who was struggling with a right knee contusion, shot really well in the first half, scoring 20 points. However, he could only add three points in the second half. Overall, Durant shot 7-of-12 from the field, including 1-of-4 from the 3-point line.

Interestingly, he led the team in scoring and minutes (41), but he was behind four Rockets teammates in terms of shots attempted. Durant's 12 shots were fewer than Alperen Sengun's 20, Jabari Smith Jr.'s 16, and Tari Eason's 14. These players shot less efficiently as well, with Sengun scoring 20 points, followed by Smith with 18 and Eason with 10.

More often than not in the playoffs, if your star player is not taking the most shots, the team is bound to lose. The Rockets' key scoring figure is Durant. If they can't get him into open spaces or tackle the Lakers' defense well, the series is already doomed for the Houston nation.

More: Kevin Durant ignites excitement across Rockets nation

Charles Barkley sounds off on Rockets offense

NBA analyst Charles Barkley watched the first game between the Lakers and the Rockets carefully before concluding that Alperen Sengun & Co. are not playing like a team, especially on offense. Most members of the Rockets are playing one-on-one basketball and Barkley exposed them for that.

"They just play one-on-one basketball. It’s better when it’s Kevin Durant and Sengun, but they don’t run plays,” Barkley said about Game 1 performance. “It’s like everybody goes one-on-one. You look at the game, you’re like ‘What are they doing?’ They just whoever gets it shoots it. If you look at them through the entire regular season, we said they don’t have a point guard. But they did have Kevin Durant to cover up all their flaws. Like, I have no idea what kind of offense they are running.”

Durant returned in Game 2, but the situation remained the same. The team is still playing isolated basketball and this inability to co-exist with each other is hurting them big time. Meanwhile, the Lakers are enjoying every second of it as they continue to pile up wins even in the absence of their superstar guard Luka Doncic.