Durant returns to power first-place Nets past Phoenix

Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.  (Getty Images via AFP)

LOS ANGELES – Kevin Durant  scored 33 points in his return from a three-game injury absence as the Brooklyn Nets solidified their hold on first place in the NBA Eastern Conference with a 128-119 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Durant came off the bench early in the second quarter and showed little rust after being out with a thigh injury. In 28 minutes of playing time, Durant shot 12-of-21 from the floor in a Sunday afternoon clash between two of the best teams in the NBA.

Kyrie Irving scored a team high 34 points, going 30-plus for the 15th time this season, and Blake Griffin finished with 16 for Brooklyn, who improved to 41-20 for a one and a half game lead over the second place Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference standings.

Jeff Green and Joe Harris scored 10 points each for the Nets, while DeAndre Jordan had 12 rebounds in front of the pandemic-limited crowd of 1,700 at Barclays Center arena.

Devin Booker scored 36 points for Phoenix, while Deandre Ayton scored 20 points with 13 rebounds, as the Suns lost two straight for the first time since late January.

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns dribbles as Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the first half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.  (Getty Images via AFP)

Torrey Craig tallied 20 points while point guard Chris Paul was held to just 14 points on five of 11 shooting.

Phoenix, second in the West behind the Utah Jazz, dropped to 42-18 and are now 2-2 on a five-game East coast road trip with another contest on Monday against the red-hot New York Knicks, who have won nine straight.

Brooklyn, who were without injured James Harden for the 10th straight game, outscored the Suns 31-27 in the final quarter after trailing by as many as 13 in the second period. They have won six of 10 games with Harden out of the lineup.

The Nets led by just five, 97-92, at the end of the third but a three pointer from Durant stretched the lead to 102-92 early in the fourth and they held off Phoenix the rest of the way.

Elsewhere, guard Devonte’ Graham poured in 24 points to lead a balanced attack as the Charlotte Hornets beat the Boston Celtics 125-104.

Brad Wanamaker of the Charlotte Hornets looks to shoot past Jabari Parker of the Boston Celtics in the first quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on April 25, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina.   (Getty Images via AFP)

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