Kevin Durant highlighted a season-high 53-point performance by hitting the decisive three-pointer with 56.3 seconds left as the Brooklyn Nets edged the New York Knicks 110-107.
Durant had 19 of 37 shots and his biggest hoop broke a 103-103 tie. After Goran Dragic’s defense forced New York’s Julius Randle into a turnover, Durant spotted from the left wing in front of the Knicks bench and neatly hit a three-pointer on RJ Barrett.
After a timeout, Randle converted a dunk to make it 106-105 with 48.4 seconds left and Durant missed a three-pointer on the next possession. Jericho Sims provided the defensive rebound, giving the Knicks a chance to regain the lead.
After New York called a time out, Evan Fournier’s pass was intercepted by Bruce Brown with 9.2 seconds left. Durant hit two free throws with 6.6 seconds left after landing in the front row when fouled by Alec Burks.
Two free throws from Barrett took the Knicks to 108-107 with 2.6 seconds left. Durant hit two more at the line with 1.8 ticks left and the game ended when Randle fumbled a pass from Barrett at the buzzer.
Durant finished near his career high and also added nine assists. He also broke the franchise record held by John Williamson (1978) for points in a game against the Knicks.
Andre Drummond added 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Nets won their third straight game while unvaccinated Kyrie Irving watched from the fieldside seats across from the Brooklyn bench. Brown contributed 15 points and the Nets shot 49.4%.
Randle scored 26 points to lead the Knicks, who lost their sixth straight to Brooklyn and fell to 4-13 in their last 17 games. Fournier added 25 and Barrett finished with 24 as New York shot 47%.
After scoring the game’s first 11 points, Brooklyn took an 88-83 lead in the fourth and Durant hit a pair of jumpers and a layup to push their lead to 101-94 with 4:54 remaining.
New York scored the next nine points and took a 103-101 lead on Barrett’s layup, but a Drummond field goal tied the game with 2:12 remaining until Durant landed the decisive blow. .
