Kevin Durant does it all to power short-handed Nets’ impressive win over Jazz
Hours earlier than tipoff, Kevin Durant spoke glowingly in regards to the basis the Nets are constructing for years to come back.
The fringes of that basis then helped reveal why he's proper to be optimistic in regards to the group’s future — or possibly even the rapid future if issues ever break higher than they've to this point for this depleted staff.
Down Kyrie Irving (unvaccinated), Ben Simmons (herniated disc), Andre Drummond (non-COVID sickness), Joe Harris (ankle surgical procedure) and Seth Curry (left ankle sprain) for all the second half, Durant and the ReplaceNets pieced collectively certainly one of their most spectacular victories of the season in a 114-106 win over the Western Convention-power Jazz in entrance of a sellout crowd of 17,887 at Barclays Middle on Monday evening.
The Nets (38-34) have received six of seven and stay in eighth place within the Jap Convention, a sport up on the ninth-place Hornets and two video games behind the seventh-place Raptors.
“We’re rallying round one another, we’re making large performs,” mentioned Durant, whose Nets have received three of their previous 4 with out Irving. “We’re simply doing it collectively greater than something.”
Brooklyn completed the sport with out four-fifths of what initiatives to be its strongest lineup, however Durant was scorching, Bruce Brown (22 factors) regarded just like the staff’s second-best participant and an environment friendly Nic Claxton rounded out a wierd however efficient Huge 3.
Durant, as all the time, was the most important. He completed with 37 factors on 15 of 23 from the ground to go along with 9 rebounds and eight assists, a tour de pressure whereas main the second-half burst during which the Nets left one of many high groups within the West behind.
“Scoring the ball, distributing the ball, defending, rebounding — so complete effort from Kevin,” Steve Nash mentioned of Durant, who has scored 75 factors in two video games. “We wanted it, and he was unimaginable.”
The Jazz (45-27) had been taking part in on the second half of a back-to-back on this New York swing, however they nonetheless dressed Donovan Mitchell, Mike Conley Jr. and Rudy Gobert, who was dealt with by Claxton.
The Nets had been compelled to sacrifice loads of weight in sitting Drummond, however the cellular Claxton (15 factors on 7 of 8 from the ground) was all over the place Gobert (11 factors in half-hour) was — and even threw down a transition dunk on the three-time NBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
“That’s all Nic,” Brown mentioned when requested in regards to the Nets limiting Gobert. “Nic did a hell of a job.”
The Nets had been rolling they usually knew it, steadily trash-talking with the Jazz.
“I’m not a trash talker — however as soon as somebody begins speaking to me, then I get going,” Brown mentioned.
The Nets received the sport within the third quarter, once they used a 20-10 run to create separation. Claxton and a dusted-off Blake Griffin silenced Gobert and Hassan Whiteside (six factors). Brown went 6 of 11 within the third quarter alone and was the chief beneficiary of Utah’s protection shifting to Durant. Griffin, a nonfactor since Drummond was added, contributed 9 factors on 3 of 4 taking pictures whereas lively defensively.
And Durant, too, was glorious. The lead was pushed to 84-68 after a pair of Durant 3s, the second of which made Durant virtually skip again on protection, pumping his arms in celebration. They might balloon the hole from there till the ultimate minutes, when the Jazz acquired as shut as six factors away. However with the sport within the stability, Durant drove and lobbed an alley-oop for Claxton, a becoming exclamation level to a staff victory.
The day began with Durant making an admission that he understands the Nets merely might by no means change into complete this season and are worse for it.
“I signed right here for 5 years to play,” Durant mentioned after Nets shootaround. “Clearly this yr’s essential, however it doesn't matter what occurs this yr, I nonetheless need to do it once more. And once more. I need to proceed to play, have this group collectively so long as we will.
“So brief time period, we will deal with [this year’s chances] for positive, however we’re additionally wanting on the large image of issues.”
Sooner or later, the Nets hope, Irving (who can decide out after this season) will likely be eligible for Barclays Middle video games as a result of New York Metropolis’s private-sector mandate ultimately will likely be repealed. Simply as Simmons — who's coping with a herniated disc that's threatening to delay his staff debut till subsequent season — ultimately ought to have a wholesome again and thoughts.
Each of these items won't be in place this season.
However when Durant is taking part in like he's and so are the ReplaceNets, the current appears to be like almost as shiny as the long run.
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