NBA: Kevin Durant on fire, Rockets rally past Orlando in lightning comeback

They looked done. Down 19 in Orlando. Flat. All over the shop.

Then Kevin Durant decided enough was enough.

Houston won 113-108 in Orlando, after a brutal turnaround and a fourth quarter claimed by one of the purest scorers of his generation.

Durant flips the script in one half

Kevin Durant finished with 40 points, a season high — 26 after the break.

Kevin Durant 40 PTS, 8 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL, 14/28 FG, 10/10 FT, 61.7% TS vs Magic https://t.co/W0yUvET5SM pic.twitter.com/pQ6JWUxJ9R

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 27, 2026

Early in the third, Orlando led 76-57 after a Paolo Banchero breakaway dunk. The crowd roared. Houston wobbled.

Then the run arrived.

A 21-0 blitz in under four minutes. Reed Sheppard knocked down three triples. Stops on defense. Speed. Surgical execution.

Suddenly, Houston led.

In the clutch, Durant scored seven straight, then fed Alperen Sengun for the go-ahead bucket with 3:07 left.

14 of 28 from the field. 8 rebounds. 3 assists. Total control.

Bench swung the momentum

Reed Sheppard came off the bench for 20 points, 11 of them during the run that turned the game. Five triples overall.

Alperen Sengun added 16, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Efficient. Smart.

The Rockets had been clumsy from deep — 1-for-12 before the burst. Then 10 of their last 17 points came from beyond the arc.

When they heat up, everything snaps into place.

Orlando collapses after dominating

Desmond Bane had started the night with 30 points, including five threes in the first half. Paolo Banchero finished with 19 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.

Desmond Bane 30 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 12/19 FG, 6/10 3FG, 78.9% TS vs Rockets https://t.co/OtSm2zEf8U pic.twitter.com/4g5C4UTpDN

— Basketball Performances (@NBAPerformances) February 27, 2026

But the Magic couldn’t stop the bleeding.

Three baskets from Bane offered a flicker of hope in the fourth. Not enough. Durant reclaimed control.

A message to the West

Houston showed two faces. One brittle. The other merciless.

Coming back from 19 down on the road is more than a win. It’s a statement.

When Durant hits the gas, a game can flip in minutes.

Orlando dominated for 30 minutes.

Houston owned the final 18.

And that’s what matters.

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