Kevin Durant sets season high vs. former team in win

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant sets season high in uncharacteristic category against former team in Rockets' win

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Jan 1, 2026 11:21 PM ET

Kevin Durant scored 22 points while leading the Houston Rockets to their fourth straight win on Thursday.

However, the scoring snipper, who sits at No. 8 on the NBA's all-time list, made headlines for setting a new season-high in another category.

Making a return to Brooklyn to face the Nets, one of his former teams, Durant recorded a double-double in 37 minutes thanks to adding 11 assists to his stat sheet. He also brought down five rebounds.

Kevin Durant can generate offense without scoring if necessary

Durant's 11 assists against the Nets marked the first time he reached double digits in helpers all season.

Even though Durant didn't lead Houston in scoring as the Rockets dominated the Nets to the tune of 120-96 — Amen Thompson led the way with 23 — he helped generate far more offense than he produced by scoring.

double-double night for Slim pic.twitter.com/TIpFHmoeG5
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 2, 2026

Kevin Durant first set his career-high in assists with the Nets

Durant's previous season-high in assists was eight, a number he reached on four separate occasions, most recently on Dec. 25 during a win in Los Angeles over the Lakers.

Overall on the season, Durant is averaging 25.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.3 assists, granted his assist average will certainly increase if he keeps up his recent pace.

But despite usually focusing more on scoring himself, Durant can do it all and has shown that in the past as well. Durant's career-high for assists in a game is 16, a number he put up twice.

Coincidentally, Durant's first 16-assist game took place while he was a member of the Nets in 2022. He did it again a year later with the Suns.

Now in the midst of his 18th NBA season, the 15-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP Durant has averaged 27.2 points, 6.9 boards and 4.4 assists per game throughout his legendary career.

Mike J. Asti

Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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