Thursday night’s clash between the Houston Rockets and the Atlanta Hawks had a little bit of everything-momentum swings, physical play, and a viral moment that lit up social media. But most importantly for Houston, it ended with a statement win.
After trailing by one at halftime, the Rockets came out of the locker room with purpose, flipping the script in the third quarter. Houston outscored Atlanta 35-24 in that frame, seizing control of the game and never looking back. The fourth quarter was all about closing things out, and the Rockets did just that, pulling away for a convincing 104-86 victory that snapped the Hawks’ four-game winning streak.
Kevin Durant led the charge with 31 points, and while his performance on the court was vintage KD-efficient, composed, and relentless-it was a fiery moment in the second half that grabbed headlines.
Midway through the action, Durant took an elbow to the mouth from Atlanta’s Vít Krejčí, who was swinging his arms high while trying to make a pass. The contact was unintentional, but it drew an immediate whistle for an offensive foul. Durant, clearly frustrated, turned to Krejčí and barked, “WATCH YO FU*KING ELBOWS,” a clip that quickly made the rounds online.
Officials reviewed the play for a potential flagrant, but after a brief look, ruled it a common offensive foul. Cooler heads prevailed, thanks in part to Christian Koloko stepping in to de-escalate before things could get any chippier.
The incident didn’t derail Durant’s focus-if anything, it sharpened it. He kept his foot on the gas the rest of the way, helping Houston put the game out of reach.
Off the court, Durant continues to show he’s just as comfortable in the digital spotlight as he is on the hardwood. This week, he leaned into a long-running internet joke about his famously dry legs-yes, that one-with a clever twist. Teaming up with skincare brand CeraVe, Durant starred in a tongue-in-cheek ad campaign where he read out old tweets mocking his ashiness and fired back with classic KD deadpan.
From calling the situation a “skin-cident” to joking that he “set a new scale for ash,” Durant flipped the script, turning years of online trolling into a punchline-and a brand partnership. It’s a classic move from a player who’s never been afraid to mix it up on Twitter, and now, apparently, in the skincare aisle.
In many ways, Durant is the full package: ruthless competitor between the lines, and completely at ease poking fun at himself once the final buzzer sounds. Thursday night was just another reminder-he can dominate the game and the internet, all in one night.