Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant. Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Kevin Durant ties Kareem Abdul-Jabbar record, is close to matching Kobe Bryant

By Mike J. Asti | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 12:49 AM ET

On Thursday night, Kevin Durant led the Houston Rockets to a 105-101 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Durant wasted no time making history in his team's first game back after the All-Star break.

Durant scored 35 points in 36 minutes, connecting on an impressive 14-of-20 shots from the field for a 70% shooting clip. Offensively, he also added a pair of threes, eight rebounds and four assists.

Kevin Durant showed he can excel on the defensive end as well

Then on the defensive end, Durant showed off his full ability with a steal and three blocks.

"We were just trying to come over there and make plays, and I was able to get my hands on a couple basketballs," said Durant after the game when asked about his highlight defensive plays in addition to his offensive prowess.

"We were just trying to come over there and make plays."

KD reflects on his defensive effort in today's win! https://t.co/7fTd9Dhz1V pic.twitter.com/KVjWMZM8q1
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2026

But Durant, no stranger to big games, may view this one as a bigger deal than just delivering the Rockets' their 34th win of the season.

Kevin Durant is among some legendary names

Durant's 35-point game marks his 429th time scoring at least 30 in a game, matching NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the sixth-most such occurrences in league history.

Kevin Durant's 35 points against the Hornets was his 429th time scoring at least 30 in a game

Durant ties Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the 6th-most 30-pt games in NBA history, only two behind Kobe Bryant for 5th. pic.twitter.com/RksvQFig5y
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) February 20, 2026

Likely to move past Abdul-Jabbar soon enough, Durant now sits only two behind Kobe Bryant for fifth.

Coincidentally, Durant's last 30-point performance prior to Thursday night also came against the Hornets. He put up 31 in a 109-99 loss on Feb. 5.

Overall on the season, Durant, 37, a 16-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, is now averaging exactly 26.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Through 51 games played, he's shooting 51% from the field and 40.4% from long range.

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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