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Rockets’ Kevin Durant equals Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in win vs. Hornets
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- Rockets’ Kevin Durant equals Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in win vs. Hornets
Rockets' Kevin Durant equals Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record in win vs. Hornets appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Houston Rockets returned from the All-Star break with a 105-101 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, led by a historic performance from Kevin Durant . Durant scored 35 points in 36 minutes, shooting 14-of-20 from the field (70%), 2-of-4 from three-point range, and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. He paired that with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and one steal while committing just one turnover.
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The 35-point outing was the 429th 30-point game of Durant's career, tying Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for sixth-most in NBA history. He now sits two behind Kobe Bryant for fifth on the all-time list. It was Durant's highest scoring performance in over a month and followed a 31-point effort against Charlotte on Feb. 5. Through 51 games this season, the 37-year-old is averaging 26.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 51% from the field and 40.4% from three.
Houston shot 48.8% overall but struggled from deep, finishing 9-of-32 (28.1%). The Rockets compensated by outscoring Charlotte 48-32 in the paint and shooting 12-of-13 (92.3%) at the line. They also forced 16 turnovers (23 per one report) and recorded 15 steals and eight blocks, turning defensive pressure into 16 fast-break points. Houston finished with 11 turnovers compared to the Hornets' 16, a crucial factor in a four-point game.
Jabari Smith Jr. recorded 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 2-of-3 from three, seven rebounds, a block, and a steal. Alperen Sengun contributed 13 points and seven assists despite shooting 6-of-16, while Reed Sheppard also scored 13. The Rockets overcame an 11-point first-half deficit and built a 95-84 lead with five minutes remaining.
For Charlotte, Grant Williams led with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting (4-of-5 from three). Brandon Miller scored 17 but shot 1-of-12 from deep and 5-of-22 overall in one account. LaMelo Ball, playing a day after a car accident , finished with 11 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Rookie Kon Knueppel chipped in 15 points and hit multiple late threes, but Durant closed the game with 10 fourth-quarter points, including two free throws with 3.2 seconds left.
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The win improved Houston to 34-20 and kept them fourth in the Western Conference, one game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers and one behind the Denver Nuggets . The Hornets, having won 11 of 12 entering the break, remain 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 26-30 record, one game behind the Atlanta Hawks .
The Rockets will next hit the road to face the New York Knicks on Saturday, while Charlotte will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
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