Durant Leads Brooklyn Previous Warriors in Golden State Reunion | Sports activities Information

By Mitch Rapp Last updated Feb 14, 2021

BY JANIE McCAULEY, AP Sports journalist

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Kevin Durant won his long-awaited first trip back to the Bay Arena to play against the Warriors team. He helped claim three titles over three years and scored 20 points in the Brooklyn Nets’ 134-117 win over Golden State Saturday night.

The MVP of the NBA finals in both title runs, Durant missed his first three shots before knocking down a 3-pointer at the 5:49 mark in the first quarter, finishing 8 for 19 from the floor and 1 of 6 against 3.

Pal Stephen Curry didn’t have his best shot either, going 10 out of 17 for 27 points and 2 for 9 from deep as the cold-shooting Golden State lost their third straight to the nets, missing a chance in their first winning streak in three games all Seasons.

The Warriors saw ex-Houston nemesis James Harden for the first time in a mesh uniform and he handed out 14 assists with 19 points, including five 3s and eight rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored 23 points when Brooklyn suffered a seven-game loss at the Warriors’ home stadium on his first visit to the Chase Center.

The Nets had lost three out of four but welcomed Durant back after missing the last three games under COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

Golden State recognized the video with “Welcome back KD!” during a break in the first quarter and plans to do so on his next visit to the Chase Center when the fans have returned.

The Warriors shot 4 to 20 with 3 pointers in the first half, 1 of 7 from Curry and were 66-51 behind during the break.

Curry struggled with his standards when he had a 40-point performance against Orlando two nights earlier, in which he scored 10 3-point points.

The Warriors lost 125-99 in Brooklyn to open the season on December 22nd, but “we’re a completely different team,” said Kent Bazemore.

So were the new looking nets.

Nets: Nets visited the Chase Center for the first time in their sophomore year as they were scheduled to play here in the arena’s first season on March 12th last year. However, the game was canceled shortly before the pandemic began. … Brooklyn beat Golden State three times in a row for the first time since March 9, 2011 to March 30, 2012. … The Nets scored their first road win in Golden State since a 102-100 win on March 30th. 2012.

Warrior: Injured rookie James Wiseman spoke Mandarin Chinese on the big screen to celebrate the lunar new year. … The great Kevon Looney says he’s making “good progress. Hopefully I’ll be back on the field soon, ”a week before his left ankle sprain – surprisingly, an injury he’s never had before.

Durant went to the pitch to warm up before the game and exchanged hugs and handshakes with all of his friends. He and Curry focused on their warm-up routines until the two-time MVP paused to say hello when Durant stretched on his back on his back.

“I think it means something to him, but he didn’t show it, we didn’t talk about it,” said Nets manager Steve Nash, who worked closely with Durant during his time in the Bay Area as a Warriors player development advisor has worked together. “If ever there is a comeback game that is less than the normal situation, this is it.”

Durant returned after surgery for a torn right Achilles tendon that he injured in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals with the Warriors.

It’s the same injury that Klay Thompson is now out with.

“The fact that he’s come back so badly from injury is really encouraging,” said Steve Kerr, Golden State coach. “We pull for KD and want him to do well and to be healthy. Now we have our own player who is dealing with an Achilles with Klay. I think KD’s game inspired Klay. In the end, all you really want is for everyone in this league to be healthy and successful because the league is better for that and you put down roots for individual people. “

“He’s Kevin Durant and his name speaks for itself. He goes to the gym and people know who he is. The guy’s 7 feet tall and he can fucking light it up, so he’s a monster. “- Bazemore.

Networks: In Sacramento on Monday night to continue a five game road trip on the west coast.

Warriors: Host Cavaliers on Monday night after winning the last six against Cleveland and five in a row at home.

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