Kevin Durant scored 33 points to lead Phoenix to a 136-120 victory in Brooklyn Wednesday, his first game there since the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Nets to the Suns last season. Durant received a warm welcome at his old home, where fans cheered his introduction and the Nets played a pre-game video tribute despite Durant’s expressed doubts that it was appropriate.
Durant added eight assists and heard the cheers turn to boos as Nets fans got frustrated. The Suns, up by three at halftime, quietened the Barclays Center crowd with an explosive fourth quarter, Durant scoring 11 points in the period as Phoenix outscored Brooklyn 42-26 to take control.
Jusuf Nurkic scored 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Suns and Devin Booker added 22.
“It was cool,” Durant said of being back in Brooklyn, where the dream that he would combine with Kyrie Irving and James Harden to take the Nets to a title fizzled.
Now the Suns are hoping a big three of Durant, Booker and Bradley Beal can help them contend for a title, and Durant said his experiences in Brooklyn — like those of his current teammates elsewhere — can only help their cause.—AFP
