Rockets Edge Hornets in Thrilling Encounter
In a thrilling encounter on Thursday night in Charlotte, the Houston Rockets edged past the Charlotte Hornets with a final score of 105-101, thanks in large part to Kevin Durant’s impressive performance. Durant nailed crucial free throws with just 3.2 seconds remaining, capping off a remarkable outing where he tallied 35 points.
Game Highlights
The Rockets exhibited resilience after trailing by as much as 11 points in the first half. Jabari Smith Jr. contributed significantly with his 15 points, while Reed Sheppard and Alperen Sengun added 13 points each, collectively sparking a comeback that unfolded as the game progressed.
On the other side, the Hornets were led by Grant Williams, who scored 20 points, alongside Brandon Miller, who managed 17 points, albeit struggling with his shooting from beyond the arc, hitting only 1 of 12 attempts from three-point range. LaMelo Ball, who was involved in a minor car accident just the day prior, still made a notable impact with 11 points, 7 assists, and 7 rebounds.
Turning Point
Charlotte began the game strongly, establishing an 11-point advantage early in the second quarter. However, the Rockets began to gain ground, with Sengun performing particularly well in the fourth quarter. He executed a spinning reverse layup over 7-foot rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner and followed it up with a baby hook shot, helping Houston to stretch their lead to 11 points at 95-84 with five minutes remaining.
Despite late efforts from Hornets’ Kon Knueppel, who connected on two critical three-pointers, Durant’s dominance sealed the victory for the Rockets. His fourth-quarter prowess included four mid-range jumpers and an impressive shot that beat the shot clock with 44 seconds to go. After Knueppel’s third three-pointer narrowed the gap to 103-101 with six seconds left, Durant was fouled and coolly sank both free throws to secure the win.
Looking Ahead
Looking ahead, the Rockets will face off against the New York Knicks on Saturday, while the Hornets are set to host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night.
