Kevin Durant did more than score points on Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets. He put on a show. In a heated matchup in Denver, the Houston Rockets walked into Ball Arena with a clear goal and walked out with a statement win. Durant led the way, but it was one fun-filled moment in the fourth quarter that caught everyone’s eye.
Kevin Durant Goes Wild as Rockets Get Revenge in Denver
The Rockets defeated the Nuggets 115-101 at Ball Arena in Denver. Houston entered the night with a 16-8 record, while Denver stood at 20-6. The Rockets were also coming off a frustrating overtime loss to the same Nuggets just a week earlier, and this game carried a revenge feel from the opening tip.
Durant was having a field day. The Rockets star led all scorers with 31 points and looked comfortable all night. He knocked down five of his six attempts from beyond the arc and controlled the pace when Houston needed it most.
One moment stood above the rest. In the fourth quarter, with the Rockets already in control, Durant drilled a 3-pointer to stretch Houston’s lead to 98-81. Right after the shot, he broke into a celebration that quickly went viral. It was playful, loud, and full of confidence. The two-time NBA champion looked like he was having the time of his life.
Kevin Durant vibing in Denver 😭
(h/t @NBA__Courtside) pic.twitter.com/ziTPOt2DqP
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) December 21, 2025
The Rockets stayed aggressive on both ends. They moved the ball well and stayed locked in on defense. Denver struggled to keep up as the game slipped away in the final quarter.
The night was not short on drama. Nuggets coach David Adelman was ejected in the fourth quarter after showing his frustration with the officials. As Adelman was being held back by his staff, Durant walked by and made the ejection motion himself. The moment added fuel to an already intense game.
Durant also got into a heated exchange with Nuggets guard Bruce Brown late in the third quarter. With less than three minutes left, the two traded sharp words and had to be separated. Brown headed to the bench and tried to fire up the Ball Arena crowd, while Durant continued talking toward Tim Hardaway Jr. and other Denver players.
The Rockets stayed focused despite the noise. Reed Sheppard provided a huge boost off the bench, scoring 28 points and hitting six of his nine 3-point attempts.
Meanwhile, Durant finished the night with six rebounds, five assists, and one block to go with his 31 points. The Rockets improved to 17-8 with the win and avenged a Dec. 15 overtime loss to Denver.
The victory also came after a tense week for the Rockets. Coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 for comments critical of the officiating earlier in the week. On this night, Houston let its play do the talking.