Kevin Durant will compete against several familiar faces Wednesday when the Phoenix Suns take on the Brooklyn Nets at Footprint Center. While his Nets tenure ended sourly, the 14-time All-Star voiced strong feelings about his former team before the matchup. “I’m a Net for life. I’m always gonna say that; I always feel that. It’s gonna be in my heart and my blood forever,” Durant told azcentral’s Dana Scott. “So it’s always good to see family, people that I grinded with. But they’re playing great ball. People didn’t expect them to be out here beating teams like Golden State… They have some good wins throughout the season so far. So looking forward to seeing everybody and competing against them.”
Source: Clutch Points
Source: Clutch Points
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Nets: Kevin Durant claims he’s a ‘Net for life’ before Suns showdown
clutchpoints.com/kevin-durant-c… – 11:09 AM
Nets: Kevin Durant claims he’s a ‘Net for life’ before Suns showdown
clutchpoints.com/kevin-durant-c… – 11:09 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
What we learned from Phoenix Suns blasting Los Angeles Lakers as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal return (w/videos) #Suns #LakeShow azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 10:55 AM
What we learned from Phoenix Suns blasting Los Angeles Lakers as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal return (w/videos) #Suns #LakeShow azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 10:55 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Western Conference win percentage:
.900 — Suns with KD
.765 — Thunder
.706 — Warriors pic.x.com/J6e8MuWE07 – 9:46 AM
Western Conference win percentage:
.900 — Suns with KD
.765 — Thunder
.706 — Warriors pic.x.com/J6e8MuWE07 – 9:46 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 #NBACup Recap
🌞 Durant & Beal Return in Suns Win
🪄 Jamahl Mosley at 8:15am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/hxpH7pZMDI – 7:02 AM
The Starting Lineup with @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine is LIVE!
🏀 #NBACup Recap
🌞 Durant & Beal Return in Suns Win
🪄 Jamahl Mosley at 8:15am ET
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/hxpH7pZMDI – 7:02 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant on dealing with the mental side of being hurt: “You hear the noise around the team, you see how we playing, losing games is never fun and knowing that you could be out there helping and contributing, as athletes being hurt, your team losing, it’s the worst feeling” – 2:07 AM
Kevin Durant on dealing with the mental side of being hurt: “You hear the noise around the team, you see how we playing, losing games is never fun and knowing that you could be out there helping and contributing, as athletes being hurt, your team losing, it’s the worst feeling” – 2:07 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I’ve been judged since I got here the most. Everybody wants me to play the KD role.”
Jusuf Nurkic after Suns win vs. Lakers.
On @GeraldBourguet question about criticism on social media: “They’re not real fans. The internet ain’t the real world. People are going to hate.” #Suns pic.x.com/1w7X3yFjKD – 1:35 AM
“I’ve been judged since I got here the most. Everybody wants me to play the KD role.”
Jusuf Nurkic after Suns win vs. Lakers.
On @GeraldBourguet question about criticism on social media: “They’re not real fans. The internet ain’t the real world. People are going to hate.” #Suns pic.x.com/1w7X3yFjKD – 1:35 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 127, LAL 100
Booker: 26 Pts, 10 Ast, 10-17 FG, 3-7 3P
Durant: 23 Pts, 6 Reb, 9-17 FG, 3-6 3P
Beal: 23 Pts, 10-15 FG, 3-6 3P
Nurkic: 12 Pts, 12 Reb, 5-11 FG
Davis: 25-15-5, 10-19 FG
Suns hand the Lakers their first NBA Cup loss EVER and improve to 9-1 with KD healthy – 12:22 AM
Final: PHX 127, LAL 100
Booker: 26 Pts, 10 Ast, 10-17 FG, 3-7 3P
Durant: 23 Pts, 6 Reb, 9-17 FG, 3-6 3P
Beal: 23 Pts, 10-15 FG, 3-6 3P
Nurkic: 12 Pts, 12 Reb, 5-11 FG
Davis: 25-15-5, 10-19 FG
Suns hand the Lakers their first NBA Cup loss EVER and improve to 9-1 with KD healthy – 12:22 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
The Suns look like a lottery team without KD but with KD… they definitely look like legit Title Contenders! – 12:21 AM
The Suns look like a lottery team without KD but with KD… they definitely look like legit Title Contenders! – 12:21 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
KD in his first game back:
23 PTS
6 REB
3-6 3P
Suns are 9-1 with Durant this season. pic.x.com/WJ6khEfGNz – 12:14 AM
KD in his first game back:
23 PTS
6 REB
3-6 3P
Suns are 9-1 with Durant this season. pic.x.com/WJ6khEfGNz – 12:14 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The bench, every time, is so ready for the people to get free Chick Fil A. It always cracks me up. Could feel KD had a fist pump with his towel stocked up and ready to fire. Alas. – 11:57 PM
The bench, every time, is so ready for the people to get free Chick Fil A. It always cracks me up. Could feel KD had a fist pump with his towel stocked up and ready to fire. Alas. – 11:57 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
The Suns closed that 3Q on a 26-8 run. Now the question is whether they can put this game away early in the 4Q for what feels like the first time all season (and hopefully limit KD and Beal’s minutes in the process)? – 11:53 PM
The Suns closed that 3Q on a 26-8 run. Now the question is whether they can put this game away early in the 4Q for what feels like the first time all season (and hopefully limit KD and Beal’s minutes in the process)? – 11:53 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 98, LAL 78
Booker: 19 Pts, 9 Ast, 7-14 FG, 2-6 3P
Durant: 19 Pts, 5 Reb, 7-14 FG, 3-6 3P
Beal: 16 Pts, 7-10 FG, 2-3 3P
Nurkic: 12 Pts, 11 Reb, 3 Ast, 5-11 FG
Davis: 25 Pts, 13 Reb, 5 Ast, 10-18 FG
Tyus Jones with buzzer-beating layup to put Suns up 20 – 11:49 PM
End of 3Q: PHX 98, LAL 78
Booker: 19 Pts, 9 Ast, 7-14 FG, 2-6 3P
Durant: 19 Pts, 5 Reb, 7-14 FG, 3-6 3P
Beal: 16 Pts, 7-10 FG, 2-3 3P
Nurkic: 12 Pts, 11 Reb, 3 Ast, 5-11 FG
Davis: 25 Pts, 13 Reb, 5 Ast, 10-18 FG
Tyus Jones with buzzer-beating layup to put Suns up 20 – 11:49 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant transition 3 off Jones assist. Suns up 14. #Suns #LakeShow – 11:41 PM
Durant transition 3 off Jones assist. Suns up 14. #Suns #LakeShow – 11:41 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 62, LAL 60
Durant: 14 Pts, 5-8 FG, 2-3 3P
Beal: 14 Pts, 6-9 FG, 2-3 3P
Booker: 8 Pts, 7 Ast, 3-7 FG
Davis: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Ast, 8-12 FG – 11:04 PM
Halftime: PHX 62, LAL 60
Durant: 14 Pts, 5-8 FG, 2-3 3P
Beal: 14 Pts, 6-9 FG, 2-3 3P
Booker: 8 Pts, 7 Ast, 3-7 FG
Davis: 17 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Ast, 8-12 FG – 11:04 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant hits first shot in return vs LeBron James, Lakers (w/videos) #Suns #LakeShow azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:01 PM
Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant hits first shot in return vs LeBron James, Lakers (w/videos) #Suns #LakeShow azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:01 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Kevin Durant comes back from injury more fluidly than anyone I can remember – 10:48 PM
Kevin Durant comes back from injury more fluidly than anyone I can remember – 10:48 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Durant (5 for 8 FG’s, 2 for 3 3’s) and Beal (4 for 6 FG’s, 2 for 2 3’s) certainly haven’t been rusty after being out for a collective 14 combined games. They have 24 of the 52 Suns points, with PHX leading by 8 at the 5:15 mark of the 2nd Q. – 10:47 PM
Durant (5 for 8 FG’s, 2 for 3 3’s) and Beal (4 for 6 FG’s, 2 for 2 3’s) certainly haven’t been rusty after being out for a collective 14 combined games. They have 24 of the 52 Suns points, with PHX leading by 8 at the 5:15 mark of the 2nd Q. – 10:47 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Oso ability to pass off say Durant or Booker being doubled and find open man either in corner or baseline is greatly valued by the Suns.
Makes teams pay for doubling ball handler on the screen. Ighodaro finds Beal for layup.
Scores off Durant feed. Fouled. FT. Up 36-32. #Suns – 10:36 PM
Oso ability to pass off say Durant or Booker being doubled and find open man either in corner or baseline is greatly valued by the Suns.
Makes teams pay for doubling ball handler on the screen. Ighodaro finds Beal for layup.
Scores off Durant feed. Fouled. FT. Up 36-32. #Suns – 10:36 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
I think we’re gonna get a supernova KD stretch here at some point in this game. He looks very loose and relaxed with the ball, even more than normal. – 10:33 PM
I think we’re gonna get a supernova KD stretch here at some point in this game. He looks very loose and relaxed with the ball, even more than normal. – 10:33 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns 31 Lakers 25 after one.
PHX: Beal 8 points (2-of-2 from 3). Durant 5 points.
LAL: Anthony Davis 12 points. #Suns #LakeShow – 10:30 PM
Suns 31 Lakers 25 after one.
PHX: Beal 8 points (2-of-2 from 3). Durant 5 points.
LAL: Anthony Davis 12 points. #Suns #LakeShow – 10:30 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 31, LAL 25
Beal: 8 Pts, 2-2 3P, 8 Min
Jones: 6 Pts, 3-3 FG
Durant: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG, 8 Min
Booker: 4 Pts, 3 Ast, 2-4 FG
Allen: 8 Pts, 3-5 FG
Davis: 12 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 6-9 FG – 10:28 PM
End of 1Q: PHX 31, LAL 25
Beal: 8 Pts, 2-2 3P, 8 Min
Jones: 6 Pts, 3-3 FG
Durant: 5 Pts, 2-3 FG, 8 Min
Booker: 4 Pts, 3 Ast, 2-4 FG
Allen: 8 Pts, 3-5 FG
Davis: 12 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 6-9 FG – 10:28 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant gets subbed out for the first time at the 4:28 mark of the 1Q. Bradley Beal got subbed out about 5 minutes in. Budenholzer said they’d be “logical” with their minutes tonight – 10:18 PM
Kevin Durant gets subbed out for the first time at the 4:28 mark of the 1Q. Bradley Beal got subbed out about 5 minutes in. Budenholzer said they’d be “logical” with their minutes tonight – 10:18 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
KD’s first basket after missing the last 7 games 🪣
(via @Suns)
pic.x.com/OWaXyemKgn – 10:13 PM
KD’s first basket after missing the last 7 games 🪣
(via @Suns)
pic.x.com/OWaXyemKgn – 10:13 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have 11 of the Suns’ 13 points to start. Good to see those guys back out there and immediately playing at a high level – 10:12 PM
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal have 11 of the Suns’ 13 points to start. Good to see those guys back out there and immediately playing at a high level – 10:12 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
First possession leads to a KD post iso. He passes to Beal for the over-extension and Beal drive-and-kicks to Durant for a 3.
Not quite what we were watching the last two weeks, huh. – 10:06 PM
First possession leads to a KD post iso. He passes to Beal for the over-extension and Beal drive-and-kicks to Durant for a 3.
Not quite what we were watching the last two weeks, huh. – 10:06 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Nice little welcome back! Bradley Beal drives, finds Kevin Durant on the wing for 3 on the Suns’ first possession – 10:06 PM
Nice little welcome back! Bradley Beal drives, finds Kevin Durant on the wing for 3 on the Suns’ first possession – 10:06 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Big cheers for Kevin Durant and then Bradley Beal when they’re announced in the Suns starting lineup – 10:03 PM
Big cheers for Kevin Durant and then Bradley Beal when they’re announced in the Suns starting lineup – 10:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“You saw a few guys on our team step up and play some good minutes.”
Kevin Durant on seeing how the Suns played w/o him and Bradley Beal.
On minutes: “I’ll do whatever Coach needs me to do, but I just want him to know in the back of his mind I’m down to play 48 minutes.” #Suns pic.x.com/eWeUZ5T98M – 9:15 PM
“You saw a few guys on our team step up and play some good minutes.”
Kevin Durant on seeing how the Suns played w/o him and Bradley Beal.
On minutes: “I’ll do whatever Coach needs me to do, but I just want him to know in the back of his mind I’m down to play 48 minutes.” #Suns pic.x.com/eWeUZ5T98M – 9:15 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“If we handle games early, I probably won’t play a lot of minutes. If we’re in a tight game, you can expect me to be out on the floor. So it depends on how we play as a unit.”
Kevin Durant as he returns from a left calf strain that sidelined him seven games. Suns went 1-6. #Suns pic.x.com/j7POnVCQq5 – 9:08 PM
“If we handle games early, I probably won’t play a lot of minutes. If we’re in a tight game, you can expect me to be out on the floor. So it depends on how we play as a unit.”
Kevin Durant as he returns from a left calf strain that sidelined him seven games. Suns went 1-6. #Suns pic.x.com/j7POnVCQq5 – 9:08 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant on his rehab process: “It was good. Put in a lot of work, stacked some good days up and was able to get back on the court. That 5-day break definitely helped as well, so grateful for that”
KD thinks the calf strain came when he jumped for a rebound in the Mavs game pic.x.com/EtdTxX4D40 – 8:56 PM
Kevin Durant on his rehab process: “It was good. Put in a lot of work, stacked some good days up and was able to get back on the court. That 5-day break definitely helped as well, so grateful for that”
KD thinks the calf strain came when he jumped for a rebound in the Mavs game pic.x.com/EtdTxX4D40 – 8:56 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will be on a minute restriction in terms of being smart and “logical” with their minutes short term and long term moving forward, Suns coach MikeBudenholzer as both are coming off left calf strains. #Suns – 8:22 PM
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will be on a minute restriction in terms of being smart and “logical” with their minutes short term and long term moving forward, Suns coach MikeBudenholzer as both are coming off left calf strains. #Suns – 8:22 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed the plan for both Durant and Beal to return tonight, and did qualify it by saying they’d try to be smart with their respective minutes load considering the time each player missed. – 8:20 PM
Suns coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed the plan for both Durant and Beal to return tonight, and did qualify it by saying they’d try to be smart with their respective minutes load considering the time each player missed. – 8:20 PM
Tommy Beer @TommyBeer
Per @bball_ref,
Highest cumulative plus/minus over the first 40 games for a franchise:
1. OG Anunoby: +465 (2023-24 with NY)
2. Kevin Garnett: +431 (2007-2008 with BOS)
3. Kevin Durant: + 427 (2016-17 with GSW) – 7:42 PM
Per @bball_ref,
Highest cumulative plus/minus over the first 40 games for a franchise:
1. OG Anunoby: +465 (2023-24 with NY)
2. Kevin Garnett: +431 (2007-2008 with BOS)
3. Kevin Durant: + 427 (2016-17 with GSW) – 7:42 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
On the Suns’ defense, making Devin Booker’s life easier, and a few specific areas where Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal can immediately help this team get back on track (besides the obvious of “getting buckets”): bit.ly/414gb5G – 2:13 PM
On the Suns’ defense, making Devin Booker’s life easier, and a few specific areas where Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal can immediately help this team get back on track (besides the obvious of “getting buckets”): bit.ly/414gb5G – 2:13 PM
John Gonzalez @JohnGonzalez
Tues Beyond the Arc pod w/ @sportsreiter
-KP back, big Celtics win
-Jamal Murray spicy after Knicks smacked Nuggs
-Warriors suddenly in tough spot
-KD/Beal back tonight vs Lakers in Cup
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
👀💻 YouTube
youtube.com/@beyondthearcc… – 2:12 PM
Tues Beyond the Arc pod w/ @sportsreiter
-KP back, big Celtics win
-Jamal Murray spicy after Knicks smacked Nuggs
-Warriors suddenly in tough spot
-KD/Beal back tonight vs Lakers in Cup
🎧listen/subscribe
link.chtbl.com/beyondthearc
👀💻 YouTube
youtube.com/@beyondthearcc… – 2:12 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! Austin Reaves says the Lakers’ defense needs to become more physical. Could that help? Plus, Jaxson Hayes is back. (But so are KD, Beal, and Vassell) @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cou… – 12:15 PM
Tuesday’s @LockedOnLakers podcast! Austin Reaves says the Lakers’ defense needs to become more physical. Could that help? Plus, Jaxson Hayes is back. (But so are KD, Beal, and Vassell) @LockedOnNetwork @LockedOnNBAPods
Subscribe. Rate. Enjoy. Thx!
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cou… – 12:15 PM
More on this storyline
Gerald Bourguet: Kevin Durant on dealing with the mental side of being hurt: “You hear the noise around the team, you see how we playing, losing games is never fun and knowing that you could be out there helping and contributing, as athletes being hurt, your team losing, it’s the worst feeling” -via Bluesky / November 27, 2024
Gerald Bourguet: Kevin Durant on his minutes: “If we handle games early, I probably won’t play a lot of minutes. If we’re in a tight game, then expect me to be out there on the floor.” Added with a laugh: “I’m 36, I don’t know how much time I got left, so I wanna be out there as much as I can” pic.x.com/TZX88ynlAJ -via Twitter @GeraldBourguet / November 26, 2024
Kellan Olson: Mike Budenholzer more or less confirmed that Beal and Durant will be on a minutes restriction tonight. -via Twitter @KellanOlson / November 26, 2024
