Key Takeaways:
- Kevin Durant delivered a season-high 40 points as Houston overcame a 19-point deficit in their clash against Orlando
- Reed Sheppard contributed 20 points off the bench, including five three-pointers in the second half
- Desmond Bane led the Magic with 30 points, while Paolo Banchero posted 19 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds
Game Analysis: Rockets Recover from Early Deficit
Kevin Durant powered the Houston Rockets to an impressive 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic in Orlando on Thursday night, erasing a 19-point second-half gap. Durant amassed 26 of his season-best 40 points after the interval, propelling Houston’s remarkable surge.
Reed Sheppard provided crucial support off the bench, netting 20 points and burying five three-pointers during the latter half. Alperen Sengun also played a significant role with 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
What a FINISH 🙌#AllFire pic.twitter.com/IjG9paxkZE
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 27, 2026
Orlando’s Strong Start Undone by Rockets’ Surge
Desmond Bane kept Orlando in command early, connecting on all five of his first-half three-point attempts, which enabled the Magic to head into the break with a 53-43 advantage. Paolo Banchero also delivered a notable all-around performance, tallying 19 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
Orlando appeared to be cruising when Banchero converted a steal by Jalen Suggs into a dunk, widening the margin to 76-57 with 5:04 left in the third quarter. However, Houston responded with an explosive 21-0 run in less than four minutes, with Sheppard drilling three threes and scoring 11 points during that spell. The surge gave the Rockets their first lead of the night by a single point.
The Magic regained momentum midway through the fourth quarter, led by three baskets from Bane to go up by five. However, Durant took control, stringing together seven unanswered points and dishing out an assist to Sengun for a layup that put Houston ahead for good at 101-100 with 3:07 to play.
Statistical Highlights
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | Rockets | 40 | 8 | 3 |
| Reed Sheppard | Rockets | 20 | 3 | 4 |
| Alperen Sengun | Rockets | 16 | 6 | 5 |
| Desmond Bane | Magic | 30 | 6 | 4 |
| Paolo Banchero | Magic | 19 | 8 | 9 |
| Wendell Carter Jr. | Magic | 16 | 6 | 1 |
The Rockets dramatically improved their perimeter shooting late, converting 10 of their final 17 attempts from beyond the arc after making just one of twelve to start.
Jalen Suggs, returning from a three-game absence due to back spasms and coming off the Magic bench for the first time this season, logged 13 minutes and scored three points.
Upcoming Fixtures
- Rockets: At Miami on Saturday
- Magic: Host Detroit on Sunday
