Suns top Nets in Kevin Durant's return to Brooklyn
Jan 31, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) controls the ball against Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) during the second quarter at Barclays Center. credits: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports Kevin Durant heard some cheers in pregame introductions and scored 33 points in his return to Brooklyn as the Phoenix Suns surged ahead in the third quarter for a 136-120 victory over the Nets on Wednesday night in New York.
With his mother watching courtside, Durant was given a brief tribute video before the game that was met with some cheers from fans, who watched him play his last game for the Nets on Jan. 8, 2023, before requesting a trade to the Suns and getting his wish granted at last year's trade deadline.
Hearing boos when he touched the ball, Durant made 10 of 16 shots, hit 11 free throws and scored 11 in the third quarter when the Suns shot 76 percent (16-of-21) and outscored the Nets 42-26 to turn a three-point halftime lead into a 19-point lead. Durant also finished with eight assists, five rebounds and two blocks.
After the game, Durant shared a brief embrace with Brooklyn coach Jacque Vaughn and several former teammates.
Jusuf Nurkic added 28 and 11 boards as the Suns outrebounded the Nets 42-27. Devin Devin Booker contributed 22 and eight assists while Eric Gordon contributed 17 points as the Suns shot 62 percent.
Cam Thomas scored 25 points for the Nets, who were unable to get their third straight win. Former Sun Mikal Bridges added 21 and Lonnie Walker IV contributed 19 as the Nets played without Ben Simmons due to a bruised left knee.
After the Suns held a three-point lead at halftime, Bradley Beal's 3-pointer snapped a 75-75 tie and started a 24-6 spurt that gave the Suns a 99-81 lead on Durant's 3-point play with 2:24 left in the third. The Suns maintained the cushion and entered the fourth quarter with a 106-87 lead.
The Nets inched back while Durant rested in the fourth, getting within 111-98 on a Bridges triple with 8:28 remaining. The Nets trailed 115-103 after Walker's 3 with 6:25 left but Durant's dunk made it 122-109 with 4:08 remaining. The Suns clinched it when Gordon and Booker hit back-to-back 3s to make it 134-118 with a little over a minute left.
—Field Level Media