A night meant for Kevin Durant’s place in history instead belonged to Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers, who played spoiler with a second win in three days over the Houston Rockets.
Kevin Durant moved up the NBA’s all-time scoring list, but the Portland Trail Blazers had the last laugh.
Avdija was one of three Portland players to score at least 20 points as the Trail Blazers leaned on a blistering fourth-quarter surge to deny the Houston Rockets, 111–105, earning their second win in three days over Houston on Saturday, January 10 (PH time).
Durant finished with 30 points and passed Wilt Chamberlain to claim sole possession of seventh place on the league’s all-time scoring list.
The future Hall of Famer now has 31,435 career points and sits just 106 shy of overtaking Dirk Nowitzki for sixth.
But while the night belonged to Durant individually, the result swung Portland’s way.
Trailing 77–90 entering the final frame, the Trail Blazers ignited an 11–0 run, capped by a Yang Hansen basket that trimmed the deficit to 88–90.
Riding the momentum, Portland seized control at 102–99 after Avdija calmly buried four straight free throws with 2:43 remaining.
Portland held firm down the stretch, outscoring Houston 34–15 in the fourth quarter to extend its winning streak to five games while improving to 19–20.
Toumani Camara poured in a season-high 23 points, Shaedon Sharpe added 20, and Donovan Clingan hauled down a career-best 15 rebounds.
Amen Thompson contributed 24 points to complement Durant’s milestone performance, while Reed Sheppard chipped in 20 for Houston, which slipped to 23–13 with the loss.
Houston heads to Sacramento to take on the Kings (8-30), while Portland hosts the New York Knicks (24-14) next.
—
Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.