The Houston Rockets opened the second half of the season with a win by defeating the Charlotte Hornets 105-101 courtesy of Kevin Durant's heroics at the Spectrum Center on Thursday.
The Rockets were leading by three points, 101–98, with just 25 seconds left in the fourth quarter, needing a stoppage to give the Hornets a chance to steal the victory.
But Durant said: No. With the shot clock expiring, the veteran forward sank a dagger jumper over two defenders. seal victory.
Kevin Durant. Dagger.
First game back from break and Reaper dropped 35 points 🗡️ pic.twitter.com/gOVfsyPZ8W
- NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) 20 February 2026
The Rockets improved to 34–20, bouncing back from their loss to the Los Angeles Clippers before the midseason break.
Durant led the freshman season with a game-high 35 points on 14 of 20 shooting. He also had eight rebounds, four assists and three blocks.
