NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant spent part of his morning brushing off the notion that he would be a "savior" to his struggling team, then almost as much in Thursday's 113-107 loss to the Miami Heat. Was. Night.
After missing a month and a half because of an MCL sprained his left knee, Durant saw that he had not missed a beat, scoring 31 points, dismissing four assists and receiving four rebounds in 35 minutes. It was the All-Star's first game since MCL sprained his left knee on January 15.
"I loved it," Durant said after the game. "I felt great. I'm only going to get better, more comfortable in there. Carrying more weight in there too — when I've got more games under my belt — made me feel solid."
After missing his first two shots of the game, Durant found a rhythm, turning the Nets' offense in the process—but that wasn't enough for a struggling team that blew a 16-point lead, their third straight. The game is dropped and the season is now 32-32 on. Asked how long it usually takes for a team to find its rhythm, Durant said that in his experience in the league, the answer is always different.
"It may take one game, it may take 20 games," Durant said. "It's just a matter of getting out there and seeing what works for us, but it's not like a certain formula or criterion that goes into [the process]. That's how you know when you're doing chemistry." So it's kind of an organic thing that happens naturally."
The Nets don't have a lot of time to be systematic this season because there are so many players in and out of the lineup. Star guard Kyrie Irving, who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, still cannot play in home games because of New York City's vaccination mandate. Newcomer Ben Simmons is battling back pain, and it's unclear when he will be able to make his debut. Joe Harris, who has played just 14 games, will now have ankle surgery at the end of the season.
While Durant undoubtedly helps, the Nets can't count on him to fix all of their problems.
"I don't see myself as a savior," he said before the game. "But I know what I can do and how much I can help this team and what we're missing as a group, but I'm not going to go out there and try myself tonight." not trying to win a game or tell it's all about me. i just try to go out there and help and be a good partner and do what i do. i know i What I bring to the table and try to do it to the best of my ability."
Durant's words proved to be forethought for a group that had not been able to find a foothold for more than two months; The Nets were 5-18 in his absence.
Even with their talents on full display Thursday night, the Nets saw Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, and P.J. Miami big man Bam Adebayo finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists as a large group of Heat fans made their appearance at Barclays Center throughout the night.
"Overall, this is a game we must win," said Nets coach Jack Vaughan, who refilled for Steve Nash (health and safety protocols). "And we told our guys that after the game. We should be disappointed. We should have won this game."
While Durant's game showed some understandable rustiness, his presence gave the Nets the kind of emotional lift they've been seeking since his injury. He finished 10-for-21 off the field with three turnovers, including a 3-pointer that cut short the stretch that would have given the Nets the lead.
The Nets remain in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, two games ahead of the Charlotte Hornets in the loss column. They will visit the rising Boston Celtics on Sunday.
"We know what the standings are," Durant said before the game. “We know that everyone is telling us every day how far we are going and where we might end up, constantly telling us what position we are in. But we understand this and know that each The day is important, so we're focused on tonight and just keep plugging away."