The Nets stole the imagination of the NBA and they even stole Wednesday’s national television game against the Knicks.
Imagine that their entire super team – and not just Kevin Durant – arrives at the Garden next time.
Tom Thibodeau’s Knicks could not even defend Brooklyn Lite. The Nets became the Brooklyn Nine after doing a four-team streak to add a third superstar in James Harden, and they still rolled the Knicks, 116-109, at the empty Garden.
Of course, Durant was still in court. In his first game against the Knicks since spurring them on as a free agent in July 2019, he pumped home 26 points in 30 minutes – 12 of them in the third quarter. Durant hit 10 of 18 shots – including 3 of 5 from the three-point series.
“We want to finish the second half of the rugby track, especially with a team that is right over us,” said Durant. ‘And we know what that competition is like, and we know the intensity with which this team plays. So we really wanted this game tonight, and everyone played like it. ‘
The garden was not completely empty. Knicks owner James Dolan, who is no longer sitting on his base seat next to the bench during this pandemic season, viewed the mess of the second row at the 100-level midfield. This one had to stab Dolan after watching Durant’s jumpers and seeing his club lose its fourth consecutive point to 5-7.
Although the offense was the Achilles heel for the Knicks, it was the defense that let Thibodeau down.
“Disappointed that we could have played better defensively, yes, but more determined to get it right,” Thibodeau said. ‘I like the fight we showed at the end, but it was too late. We got in too big a hole. We need to get back to work. Sometimes you go through pieces where you do not have the chance to exercise too much, so I think exercise will be good for us. ”
Harden will arrive soon, but the Nets were without Kyrie Irving (personal reasons) and the players they traded – Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs.
While the Nets changed Brooklyn into the star-studded haven, Knicks power forward Julius Randle continued to play like one. He beat the Nets for 30 points and five assists, but did not have enough. Sleeping RJ Barrett, who did not have a field goal in the first half and missed his first six shots, came too late and finished with 20 points.
Durant tackled a late 15-2 run in the final minute of the second quarter with a steal and quick rest to put the Nets ahead 61-45 at halftime. He passed in first possession of the game and was graceful on the Garden in the white uniforms of the Nets.
Thibodeau is not surprised that Durant has shown no decline since recovering from his Achilles tendon injury.
“He will overcome everything that is before him,” Thibodeau said. “He’s a gym rat. He’s a playmaker. He is a good student of the game. And he has an incredible skill. And the underrated part is his selflessness, his willingness to succeed. He is definitely a great player of all time. So it does not surprise me.
Knicks starter Immanuel Quickley, a fellow native of Maryland, seemed a little Durant awe.
“Probably the best basketball player I’ve ever played against,” Quickley said. “He fired one shot at me and it was like a video game. I was just there and he just tapped it out. And I just came down to court when we got offended, and I was like, ‘Oh my goodness, that was crazy.’ He’s a great player and he’s from Maryland, so I’m just glad he’s hosting it. ‘
The undermining Nets played a clean sheet and delivered just one turnover in the first half. Sharpshooter Joe Harris scored 15 points and hit three three-pointers. Nets Guard Bruce Brown, with 15 points and 14 rebounds, looked much more effective and faster than Barrett. In one play, he surpassed the Knicks defense for a quick boom.
To make matters worse, the Nets’ second-round pick, power forward Reggie Perry, appealed and scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Perry, from the state of Mississippi, was taken in 57th place in November. The Knicks could have had the 33rd pick, but swapped it in a complicated deal for a second inning in 2023 because they felt there was no place on their list.
The Knicks trailed 18:23 and put Durant on the pines, pushing to make the final score look as competitive as it really was.