Comeback Trail: Kevin Durant and Nets (125) vanquish Curry, Warriors (99) in opener
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Thu, 24 Dec 2020
December 22, 2020 (Tuesday)
San Leandro, California
Steph Curry is back (from left hand injury) and showed mid-season form during the inaugural game to start the NBA 2020-21 season against the Nets in Brooklyn.
Unfortunately for #30 Curry and the Warriors last Tuesday night, former teammate Kevin Durant is also back and invigorated with his new team.
Looking like the KD of old, the former 2-time NBA Finals MVP (fresh from Achilles tendon rehabilitation) kept his previous team guessing and grinding for four quarters.
Durant poured in 22 points (7 for 16 shooting), 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 25 minutes.
Point guard Kyrie Irving slashed and burned for 26 points (10 for 16 shooting), 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 25 minutes.
Brooklyn, as a team shot 45.7% and 42.9% (15 for 35) from downtown, beat the Warriors on every play and led as much as 35 points.
The dynamic duo of Durant-Irving exited the game by the fourth quarter.
"Awful," Steph Curry summarized his team’s efforts on NBA TV and ESPN. Curry and Durant appeared to enjoy their reunion of sorts. (Photo: Courtesy of NBA TV)
Two prized Warriors wing men failed to create plays and spark any momentum.
Andrew Wiggins contributed 13 points (4 for 16 shooting), 2 rebounds, 1 assists and 4 turnovers.
Kelly Oubre Jr. managed 6 points (3-for-14 shooting), 7 rebounds).
Golden State, as a team, shot 36.7% and a paltry 28.1% (10 of 33) from downtown.
Curry’s 20 points (7 for 21 shooting), an uncharacteristic 2 out 10 beyond the 3-point arc and 10 assists in 30 minutes was only a point higher than the output of rookie James Wiseman.
The Warriors’ lone highlight was #2 overall draft pick Wiseman who shot, grabbed and defended for 24 minutes---totaling 19 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals. The 7-foot-1 rookie center displayed a skill set that attracted the Golden State Warriors in last month’s NBA draft.
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Game Summary
Brooklyn Nets, 125---Golden State Warriors, 99 Barclays Center, December 22, 2020 Credits: Video and “all photos without bylines” are courtesy of the NBA by way of ESPN
Next Up for Golden State Warriors:
• December 25, Warriors face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• GSW Bulls in Chicago, Illinois on December 27.
• GSW battle Pistons in Detroit, Michigan on December 29.
• GSW host the Portland Trail Blazers at the Chase Center on January 1 and 3 to start the new year.
