Rockets End Hornets' Winning Streak with Durant's 35 Points

The Houston Rockets halted the Charlotte Hornets' impressive winning streak with a hard-fought 105-101 road victory on Thursday night. Kevin Durant was nearly unstoppable, scoring 35 points to propel Houston to victory.

Durant Takes Over

Durant entered the game with an aggressive mindset, demonstrating his skills all night long. He maneuvered effortlessly through defenders and executed smooth jump shots. The 36-year-old superstar converted 70 percent of his attempts from the floor. In addition, he collected eight rebounds and provided four assists. Durant also contributed three blocked shots, skillfully thwarting Charlotte's scoring opportunities at crucial moments. His veteran poise was instrumental in guiding the Rockets through tight situations.

Back-and-Forth Battle

Charlotte seized an early advantage, leading 33-24 after the first quarter. The enthusiastic home crowd celebrated as the Hornets sought to extend their seven-game winning streak. However, Houston fought back before halftime, edging ahead with a 53-52 lead. The third quarter remained competitive, with the Rockets holding a slight advantage at 80-78. In the final period, Houston pulled ahead just enough to secure the victory.

Grant Williams led Charlotte with 20 points, showcasing impressive shooting skills. Brandon Miller contributed 17 points and seven assists to the effort. LaMelo Ball filled the stat sheet with 11 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Kon Knueppel also made a valuable contribution with an additional 15 points.

Rockets' Supporting Cast Steps Up

Reed Sheppard provided a significant boost for Houston, scoring 13 points in 24 minutes. Jabari Smith Jr. also added 15 points along with seven rebounds. Alperen Sengun dominated the paint, tallying 13 points, seven assists, and three steals. Amen Thompson showcased his defensive abilities with four steals and also secured seven rebounds.

Playoff Push Continues

With this victory, Houston improved their record to 34-20, placing them third in the Western Conference. The Rockets are excelling in close games during this winning streak. Meanwhile, Charlotte's record now stands at 26-30, but they remain in playoff contention, ranked tenth in the Eastern Conference. Their young core continues to battle for a chance at postseason basketball.