Durant Drops 40 in Rockets Win
Kevin Durant delivered a season-high 40 points as the Houston Rockets rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 113-108. Durant's explosive performance continues to elevate Houston's playoff prospects in a competitive Western Conference.
The comeback was sparked by a massive 21-0 run in the third quarter after the Rockets had fallen behind by 19 points. Rookie Reed Sheppard was a key catalyst, scoring 11 of his 20 points during that decisive stretch. Kevin Durant scored 26 of his 40 points in the second half to fuel the rally. He was instrumental in closing out the game, scoring seven consecutive points for the Rockets and then assisting on a go-ahead layup by Alperen Sengun with just over three minutes remaining. Beyond the single-game heroics, Durant also achieved a major career milestone, surpassing 32,000 career points. He is now the sixth player in NBA history to reach that mark, and at 37 years old, became the oldest Rocket to score 40 points in a game. This victory marked the Rockets' third consecutive win, solidifying their position as third in the Western Conference standings with a record of 37-21. The Orlando Magic were led by Desmond Bane, who scored 30 points, including five three-pointers in the first half. Paolo Banchero also had a strong performance with 19 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds in the loss.
