Kevin Durant returned to Brooklyn on Wednesday, marking his much-anticipated comeback nearly a year after the Nets honored his trade request and sent him to the Phoenix Suns.
Echoing his impactful performances in Brooklyn, Durant showcased his brilliance by contributing a game-high 33 points on 10-of-16 shooting, along with eight assists, five rebounds, and two blocks, leading Phoenix to a 136-120 victory.
During the first half, Durant posted 16 points and five assists, yet the Nets managed to keep the game tight, trailing only 64-61 at halftime.
KEVIN DURANT. 🌟
THROW DOWN. 🔨 https://t.co/zmOw1lFpzW pic.twitter.com/vw1ypMSjD8— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2024
However, the Suns dominated the third quarter, scoring 42 points and establishing a commanding 106-87 lead entering the fourth. Durant’s 11 points in the final six minutes of the third quarter played a crucial role in this surge.
Despite the Nets making a late-game push, they were unable to reduce the deficit to single digits. On this night, Durant and the Suns proved too formidable, securing Phoenix’s ninth win in 11 games. Durant concluded his 33-point performance with an emphatic dunk.
Kevin Durant Tonight pic.twitter.com/NK5BqfflFE
— A Suns Fan (depressed)🥺(sad)☠️(furry)😿 (@SunsNumbaOne) February 1, 2024
Jusuf Nurkić delivered an outstanding performance for the Suns, contributing 28 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, while Devin Booker added 22 points. Cam Thomas led the Nets with 25 points.
The spotlight, however, remained on Durant, both before and after the game, as fans marveled at the 14-time All-Star’s stellar performance.
The Suns will carry the momentum into their upcoming game on Friday against the Atlanta Hawks, continuing their seven-game Eastern Conference road trip. With this win, Phoenix improved to a 28-20 record, trailing the Sacramento Kings by mere percentage points for the fifth spot in the Western Conference.
