Kevin Durant Dominates in Return to Brooklyn, Leads Suns to Victory Over Nets

In his first game back in Brooklyn since being traded to the Phoenix Suns nearly a year ago, Kevin Durant put on a spectacular performance, scoring 33 points and dishing out eight assists to lead the Suns to a convincing 136-120 victory over the struggling Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.

Durant, who received a mixed reception from the crowd early on, left Nets fans little to cheer about with an outstanding 11-point contribution in the third quarter. The Suns outscored the Nets 42-26 in that period, building on their three-point halftime lead.

Suns coach Frank Vogel praised Durant’s team-first approach, noting his efforts both in scoring and facilitating for his teammates. The Suns, with a star-studded lineup including Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, are actively working towards building a championship-contending team, while the Nets, who once boasted their own Big 3 with Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, find themselves outside playoff position with a 19-28 record.

Jusuf Nurkic was instrumental in the Suns’ dominance, contributing 28 points and 11 rebounds. The Suns, now 3-2 on their current road trip, shot an impressive 62% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

Cam Thomas led the Nets with 25 points, but the undersized Brooklyn team struggled to contain the Suns’ offensive onslaught. Mikal Bridges, part of the trade that brought Durant to Phoenix, had 21 points, and Lonnie Walker IV added 19.

The Nets paid tribute to Durant with a video before the game, despite Durant expressing on social media that he didn’t want one. The crowd’s reaction mirrored the complex emotions surrounding Durant’s departure from Brooklyn. The Suns’ relentless offense, especially in the third quarter, quickly silenced any lingering discontent.

The Nets were without Ben Simmons, sidelined with a bruised left knee after returning just one game earlier from a 38-game absence due to a pinched nerve in his lower back.

The Suns’ victory was further marred by the absence of starting forward Grayson Allen, who sprained his right ankle in a game against the Miami Heat on Monday.