NFL
By: Chris Jordan
Kevin Durant scores 33 points in return from injury, Kyrie Irving also had 34 points as the Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 128-119.
The Phoenix Suns and the Brooklyn Nets are two of the top teams in their conference.
Kevin Durant missed the previous three games after bruising his left thigh against the Miami Heat last Sunday. Durant has been battling injuries all season, and he’s only been able to play 25 games this season.
Durant came off the bench and played 28 minutes in return, he managed to score 33 points while shooting 12 for 21 from the field.
Irving came out like a man on a mission against the Phoenix Suns. He scored 24 points on seven shooting attempts in the first half, tying his highest-scoring half of the season while adding 12 assists.
The Brooklyn Nets improve to 25-7 at home and 20-6 against western conference teams.
Blake Griffin added 15 points for the Brooklyn Nets. He’s been good addition since they signed him on March 7, 2021.
Devin Brooker scored 36 points for the Suns. He shot 12 for 24 from the field and shot 4 of 5 from the three-point range. Deandre Ayton would add 20 points and 13 rebounds.
The Phoenix Suns have been one of the best teams all season especially since the arrival of Chris Paul. After the loss, the Suns are (42-18) and they have the second-best record in the western conference behind the Utah Jazz.
The Suns lead for most of the first half, but Brooklyn pulled away in the second half when Durant played his normal minutes after coming off the bench in the second half and not entering the game until four minutes into the second quarter.
Steve Nash made the right coaching decision with putting waiting to put Durant late in the second quarter because they could use him more down the stretch if the game were close.
Durant scored 10 points in the third quarter, then had the first five of the fourth to give the Nets its first double-digit lead 102-92.
With a healthy Kevin Durant, the Nets are among one of the best teams in the NBA. Durant is something quite special as a basketball player. Not many players can score 33 points in 28 minutes of play while also being efficient.
The Suns are 2-2 on their five-game road trip and they will be playing the New York Knicks who are on an eight-game win streak.
The Phoenix Suns are a lock to make the playoffs this season, and it’s been a 10-year absence since they’ve made the playoffs.
The Nets, on the other hand, made the playoffs last season but they didn’t have any expectations because their star power duo didn’t know play together last season. Durant missed the entire season due to his Achilles and Irving missed 50 games last year.
The Net’s next game will be on Tuesday against the Raptors.
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