The Rockets (37-21) remain at No. 3 in the Western Conference standings<\/a>, while the Magic (31-27) are at No. 7 in the East. Houston is now 4-1 since the NBA\u2019s 2026 All-Star break and is 14-6 in its last 20 games.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Other statistical standouts in Thursday\u2019s game included:<\/p>\n 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!<\/a><\/p>\n 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 \u201cgame to game\u201d moving forward, in terms of availability.<\/p>\n Thursday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n More: \u2018Beautiful basketball\u2019: Alperen Sengun believes in Houston\u2019s chemistry<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/-cQg_zxZCnc\/maxresdefault.jpg\")