Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant made an impressive start to life with the Phoenix Suns as he recorded 23 points, six rebounds, and two assists in their 101-95 win over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Wednesday.
KD’s Phoenix Suns debut 🔥
23 PTS (10-15 FG)
6 REB
2 AST
2 BLK pic.twitter.com/gTZXPti0Jy— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) March 2, 2023
The 34-year-old, who has been out since early January with a right knee injury he picked up in a win against the Miami Heat, joined the Suns in a shocking turn of events on the trade deadline last month.
Durant spent a tumultuous four years with the Brooklyn Nets, where he formed a powerful trio with Kyrie Irving and James Harden, but they could only manage 16 games together.
The 13-time All-Star showed no signs of rust as he played for 27 minutes, scoring 10 of his 15 attempts from the field and 2 of 4 from beyond the 3-point line, along with two blocks.
On his return to action, the former Golden State Warriors star revealed his excitement at getting back on the court.
“It was fun. I missed playing and this is the highest level of ball in the world,” he said. “So, you know, I missed being out being out on the floor and going over strategy and, you know, just talking with the guys, the camaraderie, all that stuff. I missed it all. So, I’m good. I’m glad to get back on the floor today and try to build towards something.”
Furthermore, Durant appreciated the Suns’ players and staff for helping him settle quickly and promised to give his all to the franchise.
“I feel like I fit in pretty well. Everybody, everybody out there was trying to make me as comfortable as possible, coaches and players as well. And, you know, so I just got to keep grinding, man. You know, this is this jersey on me. It looks normal in a couple of you know, as games go on as we start to keep building on who we are as a team. And I’m looking forward to it, though,” he said.
“New environment, new situation, new team-mates. Still, I got to prove myself to my team-mates and my coaches every day, no matter what I’ve done in the league. So I guess that’s all.”
Suns coach Monty Williams also added that he doesn’t want Durant to be troubled about the burden of being the team leader but rather just enjoy his game.
“I think there’s too many players in the NBA that get too much pressure to lead,” Williams said. “I just don’t think it’s necessary. It’s my job to lead. The players do it in spots, but that’s the one thing I told him, I said, ‘I’m not looking for you to lead. We just want you to be yourself and hoop,’ and I think that’s where he’s the most free to be himself.”
Devin Booker scored 37 points while Deandre Ayton grabbed 16 rebounds and added 16 points as the Suns’ cruised to their seventh win in 10 games. The defeat also ended the Hornets five-game winning streak.
The Suns are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 34-29 record, while the Hornets, who will be without guard LaMelo Ball for the rest of the season due to a fractured ankle, remain 14th in the East.
