Kevin Durant scored a season-high 40 points, including 26 in the second half, leading the Houston Rockets to a 113-108 comeback victory over the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center on Thursday, February 26.
Orlando jumped out to a 19-point lead behind Desmond Bane, who made all five of his first-half 3-pointers, and Paolo Banchero, who added 19 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Houston trailed 76-57 with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.
The Rockets responded with a 21-0 run over three and a half minutes, fueled by Reed Sheppard’s five second-half 3-pointers and 11 points during the stretch, giving Houston a one-point lead. Durant added seven consecutive points and assisted Alperen Sengun’s layup to put Houston ahead 101-100 with just over three minutes remaining.
Durant finished 14 of 28 from the field, adding eight rebounds and three assists, while Sheppard scored 20 off the bench. Sengun contributed 16 points, six boards, and five assists, helping Houston shoot 52% overall and 38% from three-point range after a slow start.
The Magic were led by Bane with 30 points and Banchero’s near triple-double performance. Jalen Suggs returned off the bench for the first time this season, scoring three points in 13 minutes after missing three games with back spasms. Orlando made 45% of their shots and 41% from beyond the arc.
Houston improves to 37-21, winning its third straight, while Orlando falls to 31-27 and remains in the middle of the Eastern Conference standings. The Rockets will face the Miami Heat on Saturday, and the Magic host Detroit on Sunday.
