Rockets Overcome Hornets in Clutch Comeback Win

Kevin Durant's late-game heroics lead Houston to victory on the road.

Feb. 27, 2026 at 1:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Houston Rockets rallied from an early deficit to defeat the Charlotte Hornets 105-101 in a thrilling comeback victory on Thursday night. Led by a dominant performance from star forward Kevin Durant, who scored 35 points, the Rockets overcame a strong start by the Hornets to win their fifth straight road game.

Why it matters

This was an important win for the Rockets, who are jockeying for playoff position in the Western Conference. The Hornets had won 10 of their last 11 games entering this matchup, making the Rockets' comeback all the more impressive. The game showcased the Rockets' ability to rally behind their superstar player in Durant.

The details

The Rockets fell behind early, trailing by 11 points in the second quarter. But a 17-2 run, fueled by strong defense that produced 8 blocked shots in the first half, allowed Houston to take control. Durant scored 16 first-half points and then took over late, scoring the Rockets' final 10 points to seal the victory. Rookie Jabari Smith Jr. also had a strong game for Houston with 15 points and 7 rebounds.

  • The Rockets trailed by 11 points early in the second quarter.
  • Houston outscored Charlotte 29-19 in the second quarter.
  • Durant scored the Rockets' final 10 points to close out the win.

The players

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward scored a game-high 35 points, including the team's final 10 points, to lead the comeback victory.

Jabari Smith Jr.

The Rockets' rookie forward contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds in the win.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Rockets will continue their road trip and travel to New York to take on the Knicks on Saturday evening.

The takeaway

The Rockets' comeback victory over the surging Hornets, led by a dominant performance from star Kevin Durant, demonstrates the team's ability to rally behind its superstar and win tough road games as they jockey for playoff positioning in the Western Conference.