With 35 points, Kevin Durant burns Hornets as Rockets improve to 34-20

In his first game after an alleged social media “burner” controversy, Kevin Durant made quite a statement in Houston’s 105-101 victory (box score) at Charlotte.

With Thursday’s victory, the Rockets (34-20) remain at No. 4 in the Western Conference standings, and they are only a half-game back of Denver (35-20) for the No. 3 spot. The Hornets (26-30) are at No. 9 in the East.

Durant finished with 35 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks while making 14-of-20 shots (70.0%) and 2-of-4 from 3-point range (50.0%). The perennial All-Star also made all five of his free throws, including a pair of makes in the final seconds to ice the game.

Other key individual statistics included:

• Jabari Smith Jr.: 15 points, 7 rebounds; 6-of-9 shooting, 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (both 66.7%)

• Alperen Sengun: 13 points, 7 assists, 3 steals; 6-of-16 shooting (37.5%)

• Reed Sheppard: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks; 5-of-12 shooting (41.7%)

• Grant Williams (Hornets): 20 points, 9 rebounds; 7-of-10 shooting (70.0%), 4-of-5 on 3-pointers (80.0%)

Led by strong defense from the likes of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, Houston limited Hornets guards Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball to a combined 10-of-36 shooting (27.8%), including just 2-of-18 from 3-point range (11.1%).

Collectively, the Rockets had 23 steals and blocks (or “stocks”), while Charlotte had only 10 as a team.

To close out a two-game road trip, Houston’s next game is a nationally televised showdown at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Saturday’s tipoff between the Rockets and Knicks (35-20) is at 7:30 p.m. Central, and the game will be broadcast to a national audience on ABC.

More: Kevin Durant on X burner allegations: ‘Not here to get into nonsense’

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: With 35 points, Kevin Durant burns Hornets as Rockets improve to 34-20