Kevin Durant Wows NBA Fans Despite Suns Loss vs. LeBron, Lakers Without Booker, Beal

Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Kevin Durant reminded fans why he’s one of the greatest scorers in NBA history despite the Phoenix Suns’ 100-95 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

With Bradley Beal nursing a back injury and Devin Booker dealing with foot soreness, Durant picked up the slack and helped carry the Suns’ offense against a fellow Western Conference playoff contender.

The former MVP ended the night with 39 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 50 percent from the field. While it’s important not to put too much stock into the single game plus-minus statistic, it’s worth noting that Durant was a plus-18 in a five-point defeat.

His spectacular night was enough to surpass Hakeem Olajuwon for 12th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Phoenix Suns @Suns

12TH ALL-TIME.

Congrats, KD, on moving into 12th all-time on the @NBA Scoring Leaderboard! 👏 pic.twitter.com/r50iDYLklN

Durant even spent time at center in the fourth quarter, operating as Phoenix’s rim protector. NBA fans were in awe of the 13-time All-Star’s scoring display as well as his all-around effectiveness.

NBA @NBA

KD STEP-BACK. TOUGH.

He scored 15 in the 3Q and has 30 for the game 😤

PHX/LAL – 4Q starting now on TNT | #KiaTipOff23 pic.twitter.com/4ub5B4Gxaj

NBA on TNT @NBAonTNT

What a block by KD 😤 pic.twitter.com/XfRSX2Sjyn

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

Laker fans watching KD cook

He’s got 30 through 3Q pic.twitter.com/rAcnTiLtyO

Jason McIntyre @jasonrmcintyre

KD: I don’t need Beal and Booker tonight.
I got this.
He’s got 30 after 3 quarters and nobody on the Lakers can slow him.

𝟑𝟓 ✰ @Hatedzs

WHEN IS LAST TIME KD MISSED I DONT HEAR THOSE “WASHED” COMMENTS

NBA Memes @NBAMemes

KD has 30 points on 17 shots

…with a full quarter to go. pic.twitter.com/XeK2tAz9Rk

RB @RyB_311

EASY. MONEY. SNIPER

Suns Are Better @SunsAreBetter

We got a KD masterclass tonight, y’all.

Witnessing greatness. Enjoy.

LEEZUS @AndrewLeezus

btw if you really know what you’re watching when you watch hoops, KD’s gravity was insane that 1st quarter.

𝟑𝟓 ✰ @Hatedzs

I DONT HEAR THE KD HATE RN AND THAT DONT SIT RIGHT W / ME !!!! pic.twitter.com/o1gnZkM0D3

𝐌𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐉𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐧🇨🇦 @goldenstateover

kevin durant is not playing fair this year🐐 pic.twitter.com/4FSsFvdWj8

Kohree ❼ @kohreeeee

Kevin Durant cooked the entire game. No lie

Sports Hub @Sportss_hub

Kevin Durant vs the Lakers #PHXvsLAL pic.twitter.com/8SNFDXEku4

It was also the first regular season matchup between Durant and LeBron James since 2018, a game that featured James’ Lakers
knocking off Durant’s Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day.

The two legends traded buckets in the fourth quarter, routinely challenging each other on both ends of the court.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

KD TOUGH AND-1 😤 pic.twitter.com/gwCx3psNza

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

15 years of legendary competition 🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/sI1VRUErfZ

Kazeem Famuyide 🇳🇬 🍎 @Kazeem

LeBron and KD trading big plays down the stretch. We’ve been starving. pic.twitter.com/RaPzOdTYVg

☀️ @wstgoat7

LeBron and KD hooping man this bring tears to my eyes

xavi @xavi_fps

Lebron x Durant so entertaining 🔥

While Phoenix ultimately fell short, Durant’s efforts to help lead a short-handed Suns team to a close finish against one of last year’s Western Conference Finalists is more than worthy of praise.

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