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Durant’s momentum soars.
The Phoenix Suns defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-111 in the 2023-2024 NBA regular season at Scott Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday (Jan. 13).
Phoenix’s big three had big games. Kevin Durant had 37 points and 8 rebounds, Devin Booker had 27 points and 7 assists, and Bradley Beal had 24 points and 5 rebounds.
It was a valuable win for Phoenix. Phoenix trailed 63-70 at halftime behind Cleveland’s potent offense on the night. But Durant’s scoring barrage and defense in the third quarter turned the tide, and they were able to pull away in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Durant’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Durant dominated the game on both offense and defense. In 39 minutes, he shot over 50% from the field, making 14 of 26 shots, including 5 of 10 from three-point range. He also had eight rebounds and six assists, making him a multi-faceted player.
He was also excellent on defense. Durant dominated the Cleveland frontcourt, sometimes at center in small lineups and mostly at power forward.
Without Durant’s performance, Phoenix would never have been able to pull off the upset.
Durant’s performance wasn’t just limited to this game. Durant has been one of the best players in the entire NBA lately.
In his last four games, he’s averaging 38 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 54% shooting from the field and 50% shooting 사설토토 from three-point range, and in March as a whole, he’s averaging 33 points and 6.8 rebounds.
The most surprising thing about Durant is his minutes. Durant is averaging 37.2 minutes per game this season, which ranks fifth in the NBA. Durant isn’t just an offensive player. He’s also very active on defense. These numbers show how much of a workhorse Durant is.
Phoenix has seen Booker’s minutes go up and down due to injury. Durant is the one who holds the team together in those situations. Durant has been playing consistently and leading the way for Phoenix.
Phoenix currently sits in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 38-27 record. The difference between sixth and seventh place is huge. The difference between the sixth and seventh spot is significant because the seventh spot is a single-game play-in tournament, while the sixth spot is a direct playoff berth. Only one game separates the sixth-place Phoenix from the seventh-place Sacramento Kings. For Phoenix, every game counts.
Durant was traded from the Brooklyn Nets to Phoenix at the 2022-2023 trade deadline. He was criticized for forming another superteam after his time with the Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn, but based on his performance this season, Phoenix is more of a one-man team than a superteam.
Durant is also an old man, born in 1988, approaching his mid-30s. How much longer his body can hold up will be the biggest question for Phoenix this season.