Kevin Durant was his usual masterful self on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Bucks but his efforts weren't enough to give the Brooklyn Nets their first win of the new NBA season.
Durant picked up where he left off in the last campaign, top-scoring for the Nets with 32 points on top of 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. But the Bucks' firepower was just too much, hacking out a 127-104 victory on the night they also received their NBA championship rings.
The Bucks jumped the gun on the Nets, going on a 21-4 run in the first quarter. At one point, Giannis Antetokounmpo and company led by as much as 19 points. After the game, Durant expressed his frustration about the loss (via ESPN).
“We were climbing uphill all game.”
It didn't help at all that Kyrie Irving was absent for the Nets. His playmaking ability and scoring prowess could've helped the Nets climb back from a huge deficit. With James Harden struggling from the field with 6-of-16 shots, Irving could've been the perfect sidekick for KD. But alas, he was nowhere to be found.
It remains unclear if Irving will finally relent and agree to get the COVID-19 vaccine to allow him to return with the Nets. But as Steve Nash said, they're done focusing on that. They're focusing on winning games.
The loss to the Bucks was just one game for the Nets, and Kevin Durant sure knows they will face more challenges ahead. If only Kyrie Irving could play though. Oh yeah, he could. If he really wants to.
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