Story byHouston's Kevin Durant (left) and Denver's Bruce Brown were involved in an angry altercation during the Rockets' win over the Nuggets (MATTHEW STOCKMAN)AFPSun, December 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM UTC·2 min readKevin Durant scored 31 points as the Houston Rockets bounced back from a controversial overtime loss to beat the Denver Nuggets 115-101 on Saturday. Houston coach Ime Udoka was fined $25,000 by the NBA earlier this week after lambasting the officiating in the Rockets' 128-125 defeat to Denver on Monday. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBut the Rockets avenged that loss with a hard-fought victory as the Western Conference rivals faced off again in Denver on Saturday. Durant delivered a talismanic performance which included five three-pointers, while Reed Sheppard came off the bench to score 28 points after making six-of-nine from outside the arc. Durant was involved in an angry exchange with Denver's Bruce Brown late in the third quarter which saw both players separated by team-mates. Brown later refused to elaborate on what had happened between him and Durant."Some words were said that were a little bit disrespectful," Brown said. "I can't wait to see him next time. There are certain things you don't say to another man."AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDurant appeared nonplussed by the spat, while admitting that he had deliberately taken a combative approach into the game."I definitely wanted to cross the line tonight," Durant said."That's basketball...
