Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Durant looks like old self vs. Warriors
NEW YORK — Kevin Durant shook off 18 months of rust in a matter of minutes.
Durant looked good as new against his old team, Kyrie Irving was even better and the Brooklyn Nets emphatically kicked off the Steve Nash era with a 125-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in the NBA’s season opener.
Durant finished with 22 points in 25 minutes of his first official game since rupturing his Achilles tendon while playing for Golden State in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals. It’s a new start for Durant, but he did the same things he’s been doing for years.
“I tried not to make too big a deal out of this whole thing and realize I’ve been playing this game since I was 8 years old, so just got to revert back to what I know,” Durant said.
Irving led Brooklyn with 26 points and Caris LeVert scored 20 as the Nets led by as many as 38.
The Nets made the playoffs last season but now are expected to contend for the Eastern Conference title after finally getting Durant and Irving on the court together. They used the first game of the shortened, 72-game season to prove they might be worth the hype.
“I think our goals are a lot higher this year, and we just want to be able to come in and dominate and do that consistently,” Irving said.
Stephen Curry had 20 points and 10 assists for the Warriors, a depleted team that looks nothing like the powerhouse that won two titles in Durant’s three seasons there.
Durant left shortly after having surgery following his injury and was expected to sit out the entire 2019-20 season even before it was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Teammates who have worked out with him said the four-time scoring champion was back in top form, and Durant quickly backed up their boasts in a mostly empty Barclays Center.
He made his first three shots — one a three-pointer and another while being
fouled — and was in double figures in fewer than five minutes. He did everything but keep up with Irving, who made 3 three-pointers and had 17 points in 91/ minutes
2 of the opening quarter, when the Nets led by as many as 21.
Irving — himself coming back from injury after playing just 20 games last season because of shoulder problems — had Brooklyn’s last two baskets of the first half, including a deep three-pointer with 4.1 seconds left that made it 63-45.
Warriors Coach Steve Kerr said he was happy for Durant but upset with what he saw from his team, trying to bounce back after winning a league-low 15 games last season.
“Both Kevin and Kyrie just kind of had their way in the first half,” he said. “So the lack of physicality and competition were the most disappointing things.”
Durant then scored 10 more in Brooklyn’s 36-point third quarter, ending his night for good late in the period. No. 2 pick James Wiseman started at center despite his limited preparation and had 19 points and six rebounds. But the Warriors, playing without Draymond Green because of a sore right foot, need to find more shooting around Curry with Klay Thompson set to miss a second straight season with and injury.
Andrew Wiggins was 4 of 16 for his 13 points, and Kelly Oubre was 3 of 14 for Golden State.
Kerr said Green planned an individual workout Tuesday and would hopefully do some group work today when they will remain in New York to practice. GOLDEN STATE (99) Paschall 2-6 1-2 6, Wiggins 4-16 3-4 13, Wiseman 7-13 4-8 19, Curry 7-21 4-4 20, Oubre Jr. 3-14 0-0 6, Bazemore 1-2 0-0 2, Chriss 4-10 0-0 9, Lee 1-2 0-0 3, Toscano-Anderson 2-2 0-0 4, Looney 2-4 0-1 4, Mulder 3-3 0-0 8, Poole 1-4 0-0 2, Wanamaker 0-2 3-4 3. Totals 37-99 15-23 99. BROOKLYN (125) Durant 7-16 7-7 22, Harris 4-8 0-0 10, Jordan 2-3 0-2 4, Dinwiddie 2-6 4-4 9, Irving 10-16 2-2 26, Brown 1-3 0-0 2, J.Green 3-4 0-0 7, Kurucs 1-1 0-0 3, Luwawu-Cabarrot 2-6 0-0 5, Prince 0-1 1-2 1, Perry 1-3 0-0 2, Allen 2-3 4-5 8, Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, LeVert 6-17 5-6 20, Shamet 1-4 3-4 6. Totals 42-92 26-32 125. Golden State .................. 25 20 26 28 — 99 Brooklyn........................ 40 23 36 26 — 125 3-Point Goals— Golden State 10-33 (Mulder 2-2, Wiggins 2-6, Curry 2-10, Chriss 1-3, Oubre Jr. 0-6), Brooklyn 15-35 (Irving 4-7, LeVert 3-5, Harris 2-5, Durant 1-2, J.Green 1-2, Dinwiddie 1-3, Luwawu-Cabarrot 1-3, Shamet 1-4). Fouled Out— None. Rebounds— Golden State 47 (Chriss 8), Brooklyn 57 (Jordan 11). Assists— Golden State 26 (Curry 10), Brooklyn 24 (LeVert 5). Total Fouls— Golden State 24, Brooklyn 22.