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Tag: Houston Rockets

  • Kevin Durant’s return sparks Rockets’ stunning 21-Point comeback over Suns

    Kevin Durant’s return sparks Rockets’ stunning 21-Point comeback over Suns

    Kevin Durant returned to Phoenix Suns with mixed emotions, but it was his new home that stole the spotlight on Wednesday (PHT). 


    The Houston Rockets staged a dramatic comeback to claim a 119-105 victory, overcoming a 21-point first-quarter deficit in a game that sealed Phoenix’s fate regarding automatic playoff qualification in the Western Conference.

     

    Durant, traded from Phoenix to Houston last year, remained a focal point on the floor, finishing with 24 points. 

     

    Houston’s resilience was evident in the fourth quarter, where they outscored Phoenix 38-21 to secure the win. The Rockets shot 45% from the field and dominated the boards 55-34, turning 24 offensive rebounds into 37 second-chance points.

     

    Amen Thompson spearheaded the comeback with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, while Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 points, including five three-pointers, as Houston extended its winning streak to seven games and nine victories in 11 outings. 

     

    Alperen Sengun contributed 12 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, though foul trouble limited him to 28 minutes.

     

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    Phoenix had their moments, starting strong and building a 21-point lead early. 

     

    Devin Booker excelled from the line, hitting 15 of 16 free throws, while Kevin Williams contributed 5 of 6. The Suns converted 34 of 39 free throws, both season highs, but struggled from the field at 42.7%. 

     

    Their 24-0 run in the third quarter, the franchise’s longest since 1997-98, briefly threatened Houston’s rally, with Williams scoring 10 points in that stretch.

     

    The contest wasn’t without tension. Durant and Dillon Brooks exchanged words in a chippy second quarter, and technical fouls were assessed to Booker and Houston’s Jae’Sean Tate within a minute of each other. 

     

    Durant’s 11 points in the second quarter helped Houston close the gap to 57-54 at halftime. The Suns held a slim 84-81 advantage entering the fourth, but the Rockets’ relentless pressure ultimately tipped the game in their favor.

     

    Houston’s comeback underscores their growth as a cohesive unit, while Phoenix’s loss marks the end of their chance for a direct playoff berth, leaving the team to navigate the play-in tournament instead.

     

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  • KD makes history: Durant passes Michael Jordan to move fifth on NBA’s all-time scoring list

    KD makes history: Durant passes Michael Jordan to move fifth on NBA’s all-time scoring list

    Kevin Durant continues to cement his legacy as one of basketball’s all-time greats, adding another milestone to his already historic career. Now starring for the Houston Rockets, the 37-year-old forward shows no signs of slowing down, delivering elite performances deep into his career.

     

    Durant made headlines once again during Houston’s thrilling 123–122 win over the Miami Heat at the Toyota Center on Sunday (March 22, Philippine Standard Time). He poured in 27 points, surpassing Michael Jordan to move into fifth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

     

    The achievement caps a remarkable season for Durant, who has also climbed past Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki in the rankings. He now trails only Kobe Bryant, who sits fourth with 33,643 career points.

     

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    “It’s pretty sweet to be in the same category with the greats. A lot of these guys have inspired me to work on my game as much as I can and contribute to a team in a positive way. MJ is in a world of his own and somebody I look up to and respect, who basically shaped the game for me. Grateful for everybody that invested in me; all of my friends, family, teammates, coaches. I couldn’t be here without them,” Durant said after the game.

    “I love making shots. No matter how difficult they are, no matter what angle from the floor they are. I just like seeing the ball go through the rim, so I work on that as much as I can. Making shots makes it tougher on the opposing team to come down and get easy baskets. But I shoot all bad shots, to be honest – like damn, when I think about it, I just learned how to make those shots,” he added.

     

    Durant’s scoring brilliance has long been defined by versatility and adaptability. From his early years alongside Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, to championship runs with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and later stints with Devin Booker at the Phoenix Suns and James Harden and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn Nets, Durant has thrived in every system. His ability to seamlessly integrate into different offenses while maintaining elite production underscores his all-time greatness.

     

    Rockets head coach Ime Udoka emphasized both the magnitude of the milestone and Durant’s focus on team success.

     

    “It’s an honor for everyone to be a part of that. All these accolades that are getting passed, I don’t think he cares much about it in the moment. He’s focused on the season and what we are trying to accomplish. But don’t want to make it an afterthought, to be top five of all time in scoring, the efficiency and professionalism he plays with, you take it for granted. Passing a name like Michael Jordan is a huge accomplishment and we celebrated that with him. He will have some more to chop off next,” Udoka said.

     

    Durant’s résumé remains one of the most decorated in league history. A four-time scoring champion, two-time NBA champion, and two-time Finals MVP, he also claimed the 2014 NBA MVP award and the 2008 Rookie of the Year honor. With 16 All-Star selections to his name, his sustained excellence and longevity continue to set him apart in the modern era.

     

     

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  • Kevin Durant is close to surpassing Michael Jordan and making the NBA’s top-5 all-time scoring list

    Kevin Durant is close to surpassing Michael Jordan and making the NBA’s top-5 all-time scoring list

    Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in National Basketball Association (NBA) history and among the most prolific scorers the league has ever seen. Even at 37 years old, Durant continues to perform at an elite level, proving that age has yet to slow down one of basketball’s most skilled forwards.

     

    Durant is on the cusp of another historic milestone: surpassing basketball icon Michael Jordan to enter the top-five on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. The superstar needs just 51 points to move past Jordan, who finished his career with 32,292 points, a number that has stood as a benchmark for excellence in the sport for decades.

     

    “It’s pretty cool to be in the same category as some of the greats that ever played the game. They have added so much to the game that have inspired me to stick around this long,” Durant said during a media interaction. The forward’s acknowledgment of the legends who came before him reflects his deep respect for the history and evolution of basketball.

     

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    Like many players of his generation, Durant never got to see Jordan in his prime. Instead, he relied on videos and highlight reels to study the game of one of basketball’s most celebrated icons. Still, he had the opportunity to see Jordan in person once, during the former Chicago Bulls star’s final season with the Washington Wizards.

    “I just remember the excitement in the building, the excitement around town. The reaction to Mike was just different, man,” Durant recalled. “It was clear that what Jordan brought to the game wasn’t just about skill—it was about aura, about the way he made fans, teammates, and even opponents feel.”

     

    Durant’s scoring prowess is marked by his versatility and adaptability. Throughout his career, he has consistently found ways to put points on the board regardless of the team, system, or coaching staff. Whether teaming up with Russell Westbrook at the Oklahoma City Thunder, sharing the floor with Stephen Curry at the Golden State Warriors, collaborating with Devin Booker at the Phoenix Suns, or pairing with James Harden and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn, Durant has proven himself capable of blending seamlessly into any offensive scheme while still producing at a historic level.

     

    Over his career, Durant has amassed a remarkable collection of accolades. A four-time NBA scoring champion, he is also a two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP). Additionally, Durant earned the 2014 NBA MVP award, the 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year award, and has been selected to 16 NBA All-Star games, cementing his status among the sport’s elite. Beyond the awards, his consistency and longevity set him apart, allowing him to maintain a level of excellence rarely seen in professional basketball.

     

    Durant’s offensive arsenal, which includes a deadly combination of size, shooting ability, and basketball IQ, allows him to score from virtually anywhere on the court. He remains a threat in isolation situations, excels in pick-and-roll scenarios, and has developed a reliable mid-range game that complements his three-point shooting. His skill set, combined with an unwavering work ethic, ensures that he continues to climb the scoring ranks and remain relevant in an ever-evolving NBA landscape.

     

    As Durant inches closer to passing Jordan, his legacy as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history becomes even more secure. Yet, for Durant, it’s not only about the numbers—it’s about contributing to his team, inspiring the next generation, and leaving a lasting impact on the game he has dominated for nearly two decades.

     

     

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  • Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün replaces Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s spot in NBA All-Star World Team

    Alperen Şengün’s All-Star journey took an unexpected turn this weekend, but one that perfectly fits the arc of his rise.

     

    With Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined by a strained abdominal muscle, the NBA turned to the Houston Rockets big man to help steady the World team for this season’s All-Star Game on February 15 in Inglewood, California. For Şengün, it means a second straight All-Star nod — and another historic marker for Turkish basketball.

     

    At just 22, Şengün has quietly evolved into one of the league’s most complete offensive centers. His season averages of 20.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists reflect more than production; they signal a player who now shapes games rather than simply finishing them. That versatility made him an ideal plug-in for the new U.S. vs. World format, where adaptability matters as much as star power.

     

    NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who selects injury replacements, tapped Şengün to fill Gilgeous-Alexander’s slot on the World roster — a move that rewards consistency over flash. It also places Şengün among rare company. 

     

    He is now just the second Turkish player to earn multiple All-Star selections, joining Mehmet Okur, who made his lone appearance in 2007.

     

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    This year’s All-Star showcase carries a different texture. Instead of a single exhibition, three teams — two representing the United States and one representing the World — will compete in a round-robin tournament. The top two will advance to the final, with each game lasting 12 minutes, mirroring the intensity of a single NBA quarter. It’s a format designed for urgency, and one that could highlight Şengün’s ability to make quick reads and impact possessions in bursts.

     

    Silver had already adjusted the roster last week by adding Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard to ensure the U.S. side met the minimum requirement of 16 players for the revamped setup. With Şengün now in the mix, the World team gains not just another scorer, but a hub — a player comfortable initiating offense, finding cutters, and carrying responsibility.

     

    For Şengün, the call-up is less about filling in and more about belonging. What began as a replacement nod now feels like confirmation: his ascent is no longer theoretical. He’s an All-Star again, not because of circumstance, but because his game demands the stage.

     

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  • Kevin Durant surpasses Wilt Chamberlain to move 7th on NBA all-time scoring list

    Kevin Durant surpasses Wilt Chamberlain to move 7th on NBA all-time scoring list

    The Houston Rockets fell short of expectations against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, January 10 (Philippine Standard Time) at the Moda Center, dropping a 111-105 decision in the ongoing 2025-26 NBA season.

     

    Despite the loss, the night belonged to Kevin Durant, who etched his name further into NBA history by surpassing Wilt Chamberlain to move into seventh place on the league’s all-time scoring list. Durant achieved the milestone with a jumper at 7:57 remaining in the third quarter. Entering the game needing 15 points to pass Chamberlain’s 31,422 career points, Durant now trails only Dirk Nowitzki, who sits sixth with 31,560 points.

     

    “To be amongst the greats is always an honor. Wilt is somebody I studied and tried to look up to as much as I can, a player like that. Like I always say, he set a standard for NBA players and I’m grateful to reach that and inspired by what he produced for the game of basketball. These milestones always have me reflecting on the people that helped me get to this point, the journey that I have been through, the close calls, and the things that could have gone wrong plenty of times in my life,” Durant said after the game.

     

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    “So to be here, very, very grateful, and Portland is such a classy, classy city for recognizing me in that moment and honoring me,” he added.

    Durant, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, also passed the 8,000-rebound mark during the game, adding another milestone to his illustrious career. Selected as the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft by the Seattle SuperSonics, Durant has also played for the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and now the Houston Rockets.

     

    At 37 years old, Durant’s resume speaks for itself. He is a two-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 2014 NBA MVP, two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP, 2008 NBA Rookie of the Year, four-time NBA scoring champion, and a 15-time NBA All-Star, among many other honors.

     

    Top 10 All-Time NBA Scorers

    1. LeBron James – 42,575 points 
    2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387 points 
    3. Karl Malone – 36,928 points 
    4. Kobe Bryant – 33,643 points 
    5. Michael Jordan – 32,292 points 
    6. Dirk Nowitzki – 31,560 points 
    7. Kevin Durant – 31,435 points 
    8. Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points 
    9. Shaquille O’Neal – 28,596 points 
    10. James Harden – 28,563 points 

    While the Rockets will look to regroup after Saturday’s setback, Durant’s personal achievement served as a bright spot for Houston and a reminder of his enduring greatness in the league.

     

     

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