Kevin Durant put on a show Thursday night, reaching a milestone he's hit 73 times in his illustrious career. Durant dropped 40 points in the Houston Rockets' 113-108 victory over the Orlando Magic, marking his first 40-point game since joining the Rockets. As we've come to expect from Durant, his scoring spree was a masterclass in efficiency.
Durant shot 50% from the field, hitting 14 of his 28 attempts in 40 minutes of play, and nailed a couple of threes for good measure. He also contributed eight rebounds and three assists, showcasing his all-around game.
This performance was Durant's first 40-point outing since March 21 of last year, when he scored 42 points with the Phoenix Suns. Prior to this, his season-high with Houston was 39 points, achieved in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 16.
For the 2025-26 season, Durant is averaging an impressive 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, with a shooting percentage of 50.8% from the field. Since the All-Star break, he's been heating up, scoring over 30 points in three of his last five games.
Durant's latest scoring feat moves him past Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most games with at least 35 points in NBA history, putting him in sole possession of sixth place. He's now just one game shy of tying Kobe Bryant for fifth on that prestigious list.
While individual accolades are significant, Durant's focus is on winning. With the Rockets sitting as the third seed in the Western Conference at 37-21, a deep playoff run could further cement his legacy. Despite already being a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, leading Houston to success would add a new chapter to his storied career, especially considering the scrutiny he faced for joining the Warriors during their dynasty.