Kevin Durant suffered a ruptured Achilles in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals while with the Golden State Warriors. On Sunday, he played in his first NBA action since the injury, scoring 15 points (5-of-12 from the field) in the Brooklyn Nets’ preseason game against the Washington Wizards. But Durant took things to another level on Friday night.
Durant scored a game-high 25 points in the Nets’ 113-89 victory over the Boston Celtics, and he did so very efficiently, shooting 9-of-16 from the field (2-of-5 on threes) and 5-of-6 at the charity stripe. He added six rebounds, three blocks, two assists, one steal, and had a plus-minus of +28. He did all of that in 27 minutes played.
And it’s not just the numbers that are encouraging, but also how Durant looked while getting the production. Many athletes are never quite the same following an Achilles injury, but it looked much like the same ol’ KD in this one, showing off quickness and explosiveness to go with his deadly shooting.
KD TO THE RACK
pic.twitter.com/DMo7IMXCxC — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2020
Joe
K pic.twitter.com/rwVk2J18kB — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 19, 2020
Durant being able to still play at the same level as his typical superstar self would be great for the game of basketball, and of course the Nets, who also have Kyrie Irving in the fold. Irving had 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and a game-high plus-minus of +29… after burning sage in his return to TD Garden.
Kyrie Irving makes his return to TD Garden.
Coverage of #Celtics-Nets begins at 7:30 p.m. on @NBCSBoston with Celtics Pregame Live! pic.twitter.com/7P82E6EqO9
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) December 18, 2020
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving saging the arena before the game: "That's his thing. Kyrie probably sages his room before he plays 2K at home."
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) December 19, 2020
But if the Nets are getting this version of KD all season, to go with Irving, they’re definitely going to be the team to beat in the East and a strong NBA title contender.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.