Rockets Stun Magic with Remarkable Comeback Led by Durant and Sheppard

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Houston Rockets overcame a 19-point deficit in less than four minutes to defeat the Orlando Magic 113-108 on Thursday night, fueled by a dominant second-half performance from Kevin Durant and a spark from Reed Sheppard.

Durant Dominates, Reaches Scoring Milestone

Kevin Durant scored a season-high 40 points, with 26 coming in the second half, leading the Rockets’ charge. He shot 14-of-28 from the field, adding eight rebounds and three assists. With this performance, Durant surpassed 32,000 career points and is now 287 points away from overtaking Michael Jordan for fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. ESPN

Sheppard Ignites Rockets’ Comeback

Reed Sheppard proved pivotal off the bench, contributing 20 points, including five 3-pointers in the second half. He scored 11 points during a crucial 21-0 run that erased the Magic’s substantial lead. Sheppard also added two steals and two blocked shots, including a block on Desmond Bane’s 3-point attempt. ESPN, YouTube, NBA.com

“He did some really good things on both ends of the pitch. Even if he scored 3-point baskets, he was decent on defense,” said Rockets coach Ime Udoka. ESPN

Magic Fall Short Despite Bane’s Performance

Desmond Bane led the Magic with 30 points, hitting all five of his 3-point attempts in the first half. Paolo Banchero added 19 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. Jalen Suggs, returning from a three-game absence due to back spasms, scored three points in 13 minutes off the bench. ESPN

Game Summary

The Magic led 76-57 late in the third quarter before the Rockets’ explosive run. Houston outscored Orlando 56-32 in the second half. The Rockets shot 10-of-17 from 3-point range in the final two quarters after struggling from beyond the arc earlier in the game. ESPN

Looking Ahead

The Rockets will continue their road trip against the Miami Heat on Saturday. The Magic will host the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. ESPN