Feb. 26, 2026, 10:14 p.m. CT
At 37 years old and on night two of a back-to-back in two different cities, All-Star forward Kevin Durant would not be denied in Houston’s 113-108 victory (box score) at Orlando.
The Rockets (37-21) remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings, while the Magic (31-27) are at No. 7 in the East. Houston is now 4-1 since the NBA’s 2026 All-Star break and is 14-6 in its last 20 games.
After starting 0-of-7 from 3-point range, Durant finished with a game-high 40 points and 8 rebounds, making 14-of-28 shots (50.0%) and all 10 of his free throws. He also drilled a pair of second-half 3-pointers as the Rockets rallied back from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter.
Other statistical standouts in Thursday’s game included:
Reed Sheppard: 20 points, 4 assists; 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%), 5-of-7 on 3-pointers (71.4%)Alperen Sengun: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assistsl 8-of-15 shooting (53.3%)Desmond Bane (Magic): 30 points, 6 rebounds; 12-of-19 shooting (63.2%), 6-of-10 on 3-pointers (60.0%)Paolo Banchero (Magic): 19 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%), 0-of-2 on 3-pointersNeed a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
Jabari Smith Jr. (13 points, 6-of-7 shooting) left early with an apparent ankle injury, and Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said he would be “game to game” moving forward, in terms of availability.
Thursday’s game was the opener of a three-game East Coast road trip for the Rockets, who play at Miami (31-29) on Saturday and at Washington (16-42) on Monday.
More: ‘Beautiful basketball’: Alperen Sengun believes in Houston’s chemistry
