Durant Hits 32,000 Points In Rockets’ Comeback Win
Kevin Durant delivered a season-high 40 points, pouring in 26 after halftime as the Houston Rockets stormed back from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Orlando Magic, 113-108, on Wednesday night in Florida. The victory pushed Houston to 37-21 and added another milestone to Durant’s decorated career: he surpassed 32,000 career points, becoming just the sixth player in NBA history to reach that mark.
For long-time followers of the league, it was a familiar script — Durant steadying the storm when momentum swung hardest. For Orlando, it was a night that slipped away in less than four frenetic minutes.
Durant Takes Control After Halftime
“Kevin Durant scored 26 of his season-high 40 points in the second half and the Houston Rockets wiped out a 19-point Orlando lead in less than four minutes.”
Durant shot 14-of-28 from the field, adding eight rebounds and three assists. His late-game composure proved decisive. With just over three minutes remaining and the Rockets trailing, Durant scored seven straight points and assisted on an Alperen Sengun layup to put Houston ahead 101-100 with 3:07 left — a lead they would not surrender.
In the process, Durant reached 32,000 career points in his 1,178th game, further cementing his place among basketball’s most prolific scorers.
A 21-0 Surge Turns the Tide
Orlando appeared firmly in control midway through the third quarter. A dunk by Paolo Banchero off a steal gave the Magic a 76-57 advantage with 5:04 left in the period. The home crowd sensed a statement win.
Instead, Houston responded with a blitz.
“The Rockets responded with a 21-0 run over the next 3 1/2 minutes. Sheppard hit three 3-pointers.”
Rookie guard Reed Sheppard ignited the comeback off the bench, scoring 11 of his 20 points during that decisive stretch. He drained five three-pointers, all in the second half, helping flip a 19-point deficit into a 78-77 Rockets lead by the end of the surge.
The run was as clinical as it was sudden — Orlando’s offensive rhythm stalled, while Houston’s defense forced hurried shots and turnovers.
Magic’s Hot Start Fades Late
Orlando had dictated pace for much of the first half, heading into the break with a 53-43 lead. Desmond Bane led the charge, scoring 30 points and connecting on five of his six three-pointers in the first half. He finished with six made threes overall and added six rebounds.
Paolo Banchero filled the stat sheet with 19 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, orchestrating the offense during the Magic’s strongest stretches.
Yet the momentum shifted quickly in the third quarter. Orlando managed just 27 points in the period after a 29-point opening quarter and could not regain defensive control once Houston found its range.
The Magic briefly reclaimed a five-point lead in the fourth behind three baskets from Bane, but their edge proved fragile. Jalen Suggs, returning from back spasms, logged 13 minutes and scored three points in his bench appearance.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Beyond Durant and Sheppard, Houston received balanced contributions. Alperen Sengun added 16 points, six rebounds and five assists, including the pivotal layup off Durant’s late assist that swung the lead for good.
The Rockets’ recovery was particularly striking given their early shooting struggles. Before the rally, Houston had hit just one of its first 12 three-point attempts. By the final buzzer, they had converted 38 points in a dominant third quarter alone, outscoring Orlando 38-27 in that period.
Momentum for the Playoff Push
The win strengthens Houston’s standing as the season moves into its decisive phase. At 37-21, the Rockets continue to climb, buoyed by a blend of veteran leadership and emerging young talent.
For Orlando, the loss will sting. The Magic led by double digits, controlled much of the tempo and received top-tier production from their primary scorers. Yet defensive lapses and Houston’s sudden eruption proved decisive.
On a night when the Magic seemed poised to close comfortably, Durant reminded the league why he remains one of its most relentless closers — as precise and inevitable as a metronome ticking toward history.
