Kevin Durant appeared in his first game as a member of the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. The Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 140-127 in a preseason game at Toyota Center in Houston.Durant led seven Rockets players in double figures with 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 1-for-2 from 3-point range. In 23 minutes, he also went 5-for-5 from the free-throw line and contributed two rebounds, an assist and a steal.Amen Thompson finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. scored 18 points. Alperen Sengun added 13 points and 13 assists.Durant, who the Rockets acquired in a blockbuster trade this offseason, sat out the team's preseason opener against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Forward Tari Eason was inserted into the starting lineup in place of the two-time NBA champion.Fans got a first look at Durant in a Rockets jersey on Wednesday. He started the game alongside Sengun, Thompson, Smith Jr. and Reed Sheppard. Durant played eight minutes in the opening quarter and had two points and a rebound on 1-for-4 shooting. The Jazz led 25-23 after the first 12 minutes.In the second quarter, Durant added six points to his total. He played 15 minutes in the first half. Houston outscored Utah 44-36 in the second quarter to take a 67-61 lead into the halftime break.Durant played eight minutes in the third quarter and scored 12 points on 4-for-4 shooting. He also went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line and contributed a rebound, an assist and a steal. The Rockets led 107-101 after three quarters. Durant and the rest of Houston's starters did not see action in the fourth period.Kevin Durant's stats tonightPlayerPTSREBASTSTLBLKTOFG3-PT FGFT+/-Kevin Durant20211037-101-25-55Amen Thompson praises new teammate Kevin Durant's work ethicDuring the Houston Rockets' practice session on Tuesday, Amen Thompson was asked about what he had learned so far from Kevin Durant."Best thing I learned from KD is just like his work ethic," Thompson said. "I mean sometimes I would think I was going hard, and you watch KD, he's damn near 40, and he's going harder. He's going super hard."The Rockets have arguably lofty expectations in 2025-26. Last season, they won 52 games and were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. With the addition of 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, many pundits and fans expect Houston to make a splash in a loaded West.The Rockets have two more preseason games: against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday and a rematch with the Atlanta Hawks on Oct. 17. Houston's season opener will be against the defending champion OKC Thunder on Oct. 21.