Kevin Durant

Along with the 23 points, Durant tallied six rebounds and two assists, and he blocked two shots in 27 minutes of play. Durant's star teammates shined as well, ...

He hit fade-aways. He hit mid-range. He hit 3s. It was hard to tell he hadn’t played since early January. - It marked Durant’s first game with the Suns after he was traded from Brooklyn on Feb. He got to where he needed to go.

Kevin Durant was jumping up and down in the Spectrum Center hallways with high energy Wednesday, ready to make his debut with the Suns.

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]) or contact him at 480-787-1240. 10:38: First assist (From the mid post to Damion Lee on a cut down the middle of the lane). 10:06: First made shot (Dribble drive to the rim). The 13-time All-Star hadn’t played since Jan. 8 when he suffered a right MCL sprain at Miami while with Brooklyn. “We don’t even talk about it because we’re not there,” Suns coach Monty Williams said before Wednesday’s game.

The Phoenix Suns' starting lineup with Kevin Durant was announced pregame on Wednesday, revealing the team's fifth starter.

Both Okogie and Torrey Craig had a case for the spot and had been starting in place of the previously injured Durant, and in place of the traded Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. On top of that, Craig’s 6-foot-7 frame gives the Suns a legitimately big starting lineup that should now do well on the glass. Ross, though, will miss Wednesday’s game because of right toe soreness. The minimum signing this offseason came to Phoenix after four years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, unable to carve out a consistent role. The spot was one of the biggest discussion points to come out of the blockbuster trade with the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. The 6-foot-4 wing who was a very poor shooter in Minnesota has been on fire with triples since the turn of the new year, bumping his season percentage all the way up to 34.5%.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game winning streak with a ...

Bam Adebayo scored 20 points for the Heat. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn had won the previous nine meetings, including the first two this season. He also provided a boost on defense, blocking Hornets rookie center Mark Williams twice in the opening five minutes. The 76ers are 9-4 when Embiid doesn’t play this season. Devin Booker scored 37 points and Deandre Ayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the Suns' seventh victory in 10 games.

The bad part about the Phoenix Suns' huge trade for Kevin Durant was we had to wait to watch Durant's latest superteam in action. Durant was out with a knee ...

It marked Durant's first game with the Suns after he was traded from Brooklyn on Feb. 9. · Along with the 23 points, Durant tallied six rebounds and two assists, ...

He hit fade-aways. He hit mid-range. He hit 3s. It was hard to tell he hadn’t played since early January. - It marked Durant’s first game with the Suns after he was traded from Brooklyn on Feb. He got to where he needed to go.

Kevin Durant's debut with the Phoenix Suns was a winning one as he eclipsed 20 points in a relatively easy win over the Charlotte Hornets.

We just want you to be yourself and hoop,’ and I think that’s where he’s the most free to be himself.” Durant is a two-time Finals MVP (2017 and 2018) and won the 2013-14 regular-season MVP. After sitting the second part of the first quarter, Durant returned to the floor to start the second and promptly hit a 3-pointer just 7 seconds in. Durant added 11 points in the second half, and that was more than enough with Devin Booker taking over. Durant got the start in his return from a knee injury and finished with 23 points (10-for-15 shooting) while playing 27 minutes due to a minutes restriction. “I think there’s too many players in the NBA that get too much pressure to lead,” Williams said.

Kevin Durant returned from a 20-game absence for his Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday and he looked like himself against the Charlotte Hornets.

He started alongside Ayton, Booker, Josh Okogie and Chris Paul. He missed six additional games with the Suns, making it 20 total for him since he suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee in early January. [March 2, 2023] The Suns were +13 when Durant was on the floor. Okogie, at least for Wednesday, got the nod. Durant made his debut a full three weeks after the Suns traded for the superstar on Feb.

In his first half of action, Durant posted 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting (including 2 for 3 from 3-point land), three rebounds, two blocks and an assist over 12 ...

[Gordon Hayward](/nba/players/1755182/gordon-hayward/) toward the baseline, but then falls back to pick up [Mark Williams](/nba/players/3178196/mark-williams/), who tries to get up a quick jump hook thinking Durant isn't in position to defend yet. [It happened Wednesday night in Charlotte](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kevin-durant-debut-live-score-updates-as-former-nba-mvp-makes-first-start-for-phoenix-suns/live/), and it didn't take long for Durant, who has been sidelined for nearly two months after spraining his MCL on January 8, to remind us all how awesome he is and how awesome he's going to be for the Suns. He was masterful defensively, getting out on the perimeter to contest shooters and sinking down to the protect the paint with the same seamless transitions he showed while in Brooklyn.

Durant scored 23 points in just 27 minutes, his jumper looking rust-free after being out since Jan. 8 while recovering from a right MCL sprain he suffered when ...

[Kelly Oubre Jr.](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3133603/kelly-oubre-jr) led Charlotte with 26 points but was just 9-of-24 shooting as the Suns held the Hornets to 36% shooting. "So I feel like there's pressure to be who I am every day." "I thought the team fed off of him just being himself tonight." The Hornets, missing star He ended the game having shot 10-of-15. You can see defenders trying their hardest to contest or fight over a screen and he just looks unbothered, unfazed." "I mean it's just every time he shoots the ball, it's just so effortless. Four years later, a new partnership was unveiled in the same arena, this one with hope for a better outcome. "I just got to keep grinding, man, and this jersey on me will look normal as games go on." [LaMelo Ball](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4432816/lamelo-ball) after he [suffered a broken ankle earlier this week](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/35763689/hornets-lamelo-ball-season-right-ankle-surgery), drew 13 more free throws. [Phoenix Suns](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/phx/phoenix-suns) on Wednesday night, Durant showed early signs of the potential for the devastating 1-2 punch he can form with [Devin Booker](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3136193/devin-booker) in a [105-91 win](https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401469088) to snap the [Charlotte Hornets](https://www.espn.com/nba/team/_/name/cha/charlotte-hornets)' five-game win streak. [Kevin Durant](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3202/kevin-durant) solidified his decision to partner with [Kyrie Irving](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6442/kyrie-irving) when both became free agents the following summer.

Kevin Durant made his long-awaited Phoenix Suns debut on Wednesday night, scoring 23 points in a road win over the Charlotte Hornets.

“I know my versatility can help me a lot of different areas on both ends of the court,” Durant said. It certainly puts them in the conversation.” “So if you just give Booker the ball, you have to help. “They now have the number one thing that you have to have to win close games in the playoffs – they have two guys who can draw help without the aid of the pick-and-roll,” Clifford said. If you give Kevin the ball, nobody can guard him one-on-one. Durant followed with a block on Hornets rookie center Mark Williams and then knocked down a three-pointer from the left wing as the Suns bolted to a 9-0 lead. “From that standpoint you can use your imagination, just from a scoring standpoint. “He’s more than a generational talent, he’s a historic talent,” Williams said. You feel it in the gym. But the game is the constant thing.” “You feel it at the (team) hotel when people are lined up outside. “I put that on me.”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game win...

Tatum added 11 rebounds and eight assists in Boston’s first victory in three games against Cleveland this season. Bam Adebayo scored 20 points for the Heat. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn had won the previous nine meetings, including the first two this season. scored a season-high 19 points and Austin Reaves added 19 for the Lakers. He also provided a boost on defense, blocking Hornets rookie center Mark Williams twice in the opening five minutes. The 76ers are 9-4 when Embiid doesn’t play this season. BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 18 points in a pivotal third quarter and finished with 41 points as Boston held on to beat Cleveland. Cam Johnson scored a season-high 33 points for the Nets. Quentin Grimes scored 22 points and Julius Randle added 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the Knicks opened a two-game lead over the Nets for the No. NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 30 of his 39 points in the first half and New York rolled to its seventh straight victory, routing Brooklyn. Devin Booker scored 37 points and Deandre Ayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the Suns’ seventh victory in 10 games.

Durant returns from a knee injury on Wednesday night, and most bettors aren't worried about rust. Will Kevin Durant score over 20.5 points? At BetMGM, Durant's ...

Local bars, restaurants and sports memorabilia shops have felt the residual effects of Kevin Durant's arrival in the Valley. Ahead of his Suns debut, ...

I know it’s kind of cliche, but (he’s) the first one in the gym (and the) last one to leave. 8 with an MCL sprain, practiced with the team in recent days to prepare for his first game with the Suns. Coach Monty Williams said he will be on a minutes restriction as the Suns aim to improve their fourth-place standing in the Western Conference while hoping for a return on investment. It’ll only bring more people out and only impact businesses for the best because we’ll just have more people come in to support him and the Suns.” We have a lot of local people from Phoenix who love to come in and show up for the Suns,” Khaffagy said. Durant’s jersey was already a popular one when he was with the Nets. “Even a normal Suns game with Devin Booker and Chris Paul playing brings in a ton of people already so we get backed up, even when the Suns kind of fell off a little bit when there’s always injuries going on,” said owner Harrison St. “We always are pretty well-staffed regardless of the Suns game because of the fan base. “At least one question a day, every day is, ‘Are the KD jerseys here yet?’ People are waiting for them. The Suns’ first home game with Durant in the lineup, March 8 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, will cost a minimum of $136, as of Tuesday. “I think (Durant’s arrival) will only impact us for the better. Sure to be the Valley’s hottest ticket, Suns game days will reignite an electric atmosphere at Phoenix’s downtown sports bars.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game winning streak with a ...

The 15-year seemed to find his groove from there, knocking down three more mid-range jumpers to push the lead to 12 and finished with nine points in the fourth quarter. [underwent season-ending surgery](https://apnews.com/article/lamelo-ball-hornets-ankle-surgery-3751fc5d5f677e787528d0e01c16cb3d) on Wednesday to repair a fracture in his right ankle. We just want you to be yourself and hoop,’ and I think that’s where he’s the most free to be himself.” “I think there’s too many players in the NBA that get too much pressure to lead,” Williams said. And the 34-year-old star fit in rather seamlessly with his new club, also grabbing six rebounds and blocking two shots in 27 minutes. He also provided a boost on defense, blocking Hornets rookie center Mark Williams twice in the opening five minutes.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant made his Phoenix Suns debut Wednesday night against the Charlotte Hornets. Durant, wearing No.

It was back to regularly-scheduled business for Kevin Durant in his first game with the Suns, helping Phoenix to a win in Charlotte.

The 15-year veteran seemed to find his groove from there, knocking down three more mid-range jumpers to push the lead to 12 and finished with nine points in the fourth quarter. [Chris Paul](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/chris-paul-player) added 11 assists. Hornets on Wednesday [Suns](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/phoenix-suns-team) debut, helping Phoenix snap the [Charlotte Hornets’](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/charlotte-hornets-team) five-game winning streak with a wire-to-wire 105-91 victory on Wednesday night. The players do it in spots, but that’s the one thing I told him. [Kelly Oubre Jr.](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/kelly-oubre-jr-player), who got the start with [LaMelo Ball](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/lamelo-ball-player) out. "I think there’s too many players in the NBA that get too much pressure to lead," Williams said. "I feel like I fit in pretty well," Durant said. He also provided a boost on defense, blocking Hornets rookie center We just want you to be yourself and hoop,’ and I think that’s where he’s the most free to be himself." "Everybody out there was trying to make me as comfortable as possible. [Devin Booker](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/devin-booker-player) scored 37 points and [Deandre Ayton](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/deandre-ayton-player) had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the Suns’ seventh victory in 10 games.

Kevin Durant recorded 23 points (10-15 FG) and six rebounds in 27 minutes played for the Suns as they defeated the Hornets, 105-91. Devin Booker led all scorers ...

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting in his Suns debut, helping Phoenix snap the Charlotte Hornets' five-game win...

Bam Adebayo scored 20 points for the Heat. Tatum added 11 rebounds and eight assists in Boston’s first victory in three games against Cleveland this season. Lillard was also absent for Portland’s visit to New Orleans earlier this season because of injury management. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Brooklyn had won the previous nine meetings, including the first two this season. McCollum was traded to New Orleans at last season’s trade deadline. scored a season-high 19 points and Austin Reaves added 19 for the Lakers. He also provided a boost on defense, blocking Hornets rookie center Mark Williams twice in the opening five minutes. The 76ers are 9-4 when Embiid doesn’t play this season. BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 18 points in a pivotal third quarter and finished with 41 points as Boston held on to beat Cleveland. NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 30 of his 39 points in the first half and New York rolled to its seventh straight victory, routing Brooklyn. Devin Booker scored 37 points and Deandre Ayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the Suns’ seventh victory in 10 games.

Cette victoire a aussi mis fin à une séquence de cinq gains de suite des Hornets. Devin Booker a marqué 37 points, alors que Deandre Ayton a inscrit 16 points ...

Cette victoire a aussi mis fin à une séquence de cinq gains de suite des Hornets. Durant a notamment été deux en quatre au chapitre des tirs de trois points. — Kevin Durant a inscrit 23 points, réussissant 10 de ses 15 tirs à ses débuts avec Phoenix, mercredi, aidant les Suns à l’emporter 105-91 devant les Hornets de Charlotte.

Deandre Ayton a inscrit 16 points et 16 rebonds. alors que Chris Paul a obtenu 11 aides dans ce qui était la septième victoire des Suns à leurs 10 derniers ...

[Terry Rozier](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/terry-rozier?player_id=105449) a ajouté 20 points, six rebonds et cinq aides. [Kenyon Martin](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/kj-martin?player_id=389449) a été l'auteur de 19 points [Pelicans 121 - Trail Blazers 110](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/resultat/pelicans-n-orleans-trail-blazers-portland-20230301?event_id=198189) [Josh Giddey](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/josh-giddey?player_id=555908) a récolté 22 points, le Montréalais [Luguentz Dort ](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/luguentz-dort-359191?player_id=359191)a amassé 19 points [Grizzlies 113 - Rockets 99](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/resultat/grizzlies-memphis-rockets-houston-20230301?event_id=197791) [Bam Adebayo](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/bam-adebayo?player_id=260678) a fourni 20 points et huit rebonds [Nets 118 - Knicks 142](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/resultat/nets-brooklyn-knicks-new-york-20230301?event_id=197790) [Dennis Schroder](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/dennis-schroder?player_id=8294) a obtenu 26 points [Bojan Bogdanovic](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/bojan-bogdanovic?player_id=69087) a été l'auteur de 34 points et de six rebonds [76ers 119 - Heat 96](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/resultat/76ers-philadelphie-heat-miami-20230301?event_id=197789) [James Harden](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/james-harden?player_id=2543) Booker a récolté 37 points et il a ajouté six rebonds et sept aides. Échangé le 9 février, Durant a joué 27 minutes à son retour au jeu. [Zach LaVine](https://www.rds.ca/basketball/nba/joueur/zach-lavine?player_id=66943) a obtenu 41 points alors que Chris Paul a obtenu 11 aides dans ce qui était la septième victoire des Suns à leurs 10 derniers matchs. L'équipe est au quatrième rang dans l'Ouest, avec une fiche de 34-29.

La victoire est au bout pour les débuts de Kevin Durant, ainsi qu'une séquence déjà virale aux côtés de Devin Booker...

La grosse performance au bout pour la star, mais surtout la victoire sur des Hornets en perdition à l’Est. Un match presque parfait pour les Suns. Une belle soirée pour KD, avec une entente déjà parfaite avec Booker sur le parquet, la preuve avec cette séquence. Un moment important pour le Slim Reaper, qui voulait trouver ses repères avec ses nouveaux coéquipiers, y compris Devin Booker. Phoenix en a profité pour dérouler son jeu tranquillement avec un succès 105-91. Le duo s’entend à merveille.

Kevin Durant shows no signs of rust in his 1st game with Phoenix, meshing quickly with his new teammates.

Durant continues to put in the work to ensure that happens. But as far as just having fun and getting lost in the game, I’m looking forward to that again.” 7 from that injury, but the staff held him out of the Suns’ next game (Feb. I think it’s gonna come down to the details that we have to learn. “So, why would I not pick his brain and try to figure out a couple of things that I may not be the best at? Williams said he constantly picks Durant’s brain at practices about “situations” that transpire on the floor. There’s success from the recent past, bundled with a new governor in Mat Isbia before you even get to the addition of a generational superstar in Durant. You feel it in the gym. We saw the Suns tinker with it on Wednesday, as Durant played chunks of minutes with several reserves. “You feel it,” Williams said of the mounting pressure. You could feel the confidence throughout the team. Playing in his first NBA game in 52 days, Durant showed few signs of rust and fatigue, while flashing a glimpse of the danger opponents can expect this postseason.

Kevin Durant made his debut for the Suns in a victory against the Hornets. Elsewhere, Jayson Tatum led the Celtics to a compelling victory over the ...

In today's episode of The Rush, Kevin Durant looked solid in his debut with the Phoenix Suns, Jalen Carter – who could be this year's top pick – left the ...

Giannis Antetokounmpo returned from injury to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 15th consecutive win while the Los Angeles Lakers lost a close game to the Memphis ...

Durant, in his first game since spraining his MCL Jan. 8, scored 23 points in 27 minutes.

[third in our prospect rankings](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospect-rankings/). However, our Chris Trapasso now has Carter falling to the back half of the first round in [his latest mock draft](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/nfl-mock-draft-2023-jalen-carter-falls-after-being-issued-arrest-warrant-ravens-move-on-from-lamar-jackson/). 15 crash that resulted in two deaths](https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/georgia-star-jalen-carter-booked-released-top-nfl-draft-prospect-left-scene-of-fatal-car-crash/). He [did not attend media sessions](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jalen-carter-returns-to-nfl-combine-a-day-after-his-arrest-top-draft-prospect-facing-misdemeanor-charges/) after receiving the arrest warrant. [clinched the Big 12](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/kansas-clinches-big-12-regular-season-title-no-17-after-tcu-avenges-earlier-loss-to-texas/)after No. [dismissed](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/iowa-state-dismisses-g-caleb-grill-adding-to-cyclones-late-season-woes-ahead-of-2023-ncaa-tournament/)guard Caleb Grill due to "a failure to meet the program's expectations." [LaMelo Ball](/nba/players/3149252/lamelo-ball/)- [less](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lamelo-ball-injury-update-hornets-star-to-miss-remainder-of-season-with-right-ankle-fracture-per-report/) Hornets. [tore his ACL](https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/zakai-zeigler-injury-tennessee-standout-to-miss-remainder-of-season-after-exiting-arkansas-game/)in Tuesday's win over Arkansas, ending his season. - The first incident was between Morant and the head of security at a Memphis mall. Grill led the Cyclones in 3-point percentage (36.8%) and was third in points per game (9.5). [They already have an air of inevitability](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/its-early-but-this-kevin-durant-led-suns-team-looks-like-its-about-to-get-late-for-others-title-hopes/), opines our Bill Reiter: [Chris Paul](/nba/players/555969/chris-paul/)and DeAndre Ayton to be anything other than a top team.

With Devin Booker also cooking and Deandre Ayton putting up an efficient 16 points of his own, KD never had to go into takeover mode. His offense came within ...

New team, same Kevin Durant. The Durant era in Phoenix got off to solid start Wednesday night with the 13-time NBA All-Star scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 ...

It certainly puts them in the conversation.” But it’s pretty cool to be able to give a guy the ball and he can get to a spot and get off a really good shot.” Looking forward to the next game.” ___ “So if you just give Booker the ball, you have to help. “We scripted a lot in practice but when you get out on the floor it is a totally different deal,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “They now have the number one thing that you have to have to win close games in the playoffs – they have two guys who can draw help without the aid of the pick-and-roll,” Clifford said. You feel it in the gym. “From that standpoint you can use your imagination, just from a scoring standpoint. He was the last of the big three to be traded away by Brooklyn, joining James Harden and Kyrie Irving before him. Durant followed with a block on Hornets rookie center Mark Williams and then knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing as Phoenix bolted to a 9-0 lead it would never surrender. “You feel it at the (team) hotel when people are lined up outside. “I put that on me.”

He'll take the floor against the now-depleted Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday in Charlotte, marking his first game in well over a month.

The Phoenix Suns officially christened the Kevin Durant era with a victory, picking up a 105-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets in his on-court debut with ...

Based on his usage Wednesday, Phoenix is managing Durant's workload a bit as he shakes off any lingering effects from the MCL injury. In general, it was about as good as the Suns could've hoped to see in Durant's first game. The Suns have the Chicago Bulls on Friday night in their next game.

The Phoenix Mercury shared a video of Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant and Brittney Griner recently embracing at the Suns and Mercury practice facility.

[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). Her just being back and trying to get back in shape and just loving the game she loves to do. “Just watching her and seeing the reactions on her face. [Deandre Ayton recently said of Griner](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/02/24/her-mind-is-free-deandre-ayton-happy-to-see-brittney-griner-back/69939831007/). [Deandre Ayton happy seeing Brittney Griner back in gym](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/02/24/her-mind-is-free-deandre-ayton-happy-to-see-brittney-griner-back/69939831007/) [NBA Twitter reacts to Kevin Durant's Phoenix Suns debut](https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2023/03/02/kevin-durant-phoenix-suns-debut-reaction-nba-twitter/69962660007/)

Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving haven't spoken since the pair were traded from the Brooklyn Nets.

I don’t wanna act like I wasn’t upset that we didn’t finish the season, because I love playing with [Irving]. I wanted to see where we can go with that because we were both playing at a high level. “We all move and do the things that we wanna do for our careers,” Durant said during the show.

New team, same Kevin Durant. The Durant era in Phoenix got off to solid start Wednesday night with the 13-time NBA All-Star scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 ...

It certainly puts them in the conversation.” But it’s pretty cool to be able to give a guy the ball and he can get to a spot and get off a really good shot.” Looking forward to the next game.” ___ “So if you just give Booker the ball, you have to help. “We scripted a lot in practice but when you get out on the floor it is a totally different deal,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “They now have the number one thing that you have to have to win close games in the playoffs – they have two guys who can draw help without the aid of the pick-and-roll,” Clifford said. You feel it in the gym. “From that standpoint you can use your imagination, just from a scoring standpoint. He was the last of the big three to be traded away by Brooklyn, joining James Harden and Kyrie Irving before him. Durant followed with a block on Hornets rookie center Mark Williams and then knocked down a 3-pointer from the left wing as Phoenix bolted to a 9-0 lead it would never surrender. “You feel it at the (team) hotel when people are lined up outside. “I put that on me.”

After playing in his first game with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, Kevin Durant isn't apologizing for the circumstances that ultimately led to him…

[asked](https://apnews.com/article/brooklyn-nets-nba-sports-basketball-kevin-durant-da572379d0eabc5025a2106344695f6f?utm_medium=AP_Sports&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=SocialFlow) the Nets for a trade in June, but the team remained steadfast in its desire to keep him and try to win this season. The trade left Durant in a position where he would be the only All-Star on the Nets' roster in a deep Eastern Conference. After failed contract negotiations with the Nets, Irving requested a trade and was dealt to the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. Nothing I do in my life I regret. [Not] signing an extension worth that much money?" After playing in his first game with the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, Kevin Durant isn't apologizing for the circumstances that ultimately led to him being in this position on a new team less than two years after signing a four-year extension with the Brooklyn Nets.

With James Harden in Philadelphia, Kyrie Irving in Dallas and Kevin Durant in Phoenix, the Nets' "Big Three" era officially came to a close at the 2023 NBA ...

That would be [the greatest offensive rating in NBA history](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/which-team-has-the-highest-offensive-rating-in-an-individual-season) — and it gets even more insane. With all three superstars firing on all cylinders in that Celtics series, the flashes were terrifying for the rest of the league. and U.K.](https://www.nba.com/watch/league-pass-stream?cid=nba:ilp:partner:affiliate:othaff:display:eg:acq:sub:t-gpm:Global20:global:u-en:) The three All-Stars suited up for just 12.7 percent of 126 available regular season and playoff games before Harden was shipped to the 76ers at the 2022 NBA trade deadline. [All other countries](https://www.nba.com/watch/league-pass-stream?cid=nba:ilp:partner:affiliate:othaff:display:eg:acq:sub:t-gpm:Generic:global:u-en) Sixteen was the magic number for this trio. Irving had only played 20 games the season prior because of an injury, but he averaged 27.4 points over that span — a higher figure than either of his two seasons in Boston. It was "scary hours" for a grand total of... Even with Irving and Harden in and out of the lineup against the Bucks in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, [for the most points by three teammates in the same playoff game](https://twitter.com/jkubatko/status/1399367813056368646). Harden was coming off his third consecutive scoring title in Houston. With James Harden in Philadelphia, Kyrie Irving in Dallas and Kevin Durant in Phoenix, the Nets' "Big Three" era officially came to a close at the 2023 NBA trade deadline.