Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: Win over Suns proves BK shouldn’t fear any rival

By Jerry Trotta

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket as Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns defends during the second half at Barclays Center on April 25, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Doesn’t it just feel like the Brooklyn Nets read and listen to every word of criticism from the media? Every time it appears their championship chances look the slightest bit pregnable, they respond with a statement win over one of the NBA’s best teams.

That’s exactly what they did in Sunday’s matinee against the Phoenix Suns, who currently boast the second-best record in the loaded Western Conference and are a real threat to steal the No. 1 overall seed from Utah by the end of the regular season.

Thanks to a sublime and balanced third quarter performance, Brooklyn ultimately coasted to a 128-119 over Phoenix. Making his return from a three-game absence due to a thigh contusion, Kevin Durant led the way for the Nets, pouring in 33 points in 28 minutes off the bench.

Still without fellow superstar James Harden, this convincing win over a supposed championship contender — yes, the Suns are that good this year — further proved that the Nets shouldn’t fear any rival once the postseason rolls around at the end of next month.

The Nets shouldn’t fear any team after their win over Phoenix on Sunday.

Remember when the media was lambasting Brooklyn for resting its stars for primetime matchups and supposedly not caring about obtaining home-court advantage throughout the playoffs by nabbing the top seed in the Eastern Conference?

Well, you can go ahead and put that conversation to bed, because the Nets currently own a 1.5-game lead over Philadelphia, a team which has now lost four straight, for the No. 1 spot.

The decision to backload Durant’s minutes — he sat out the entire first quarter so he wouldn’t be limited in the second half —  proved to be the right one by head coach Steve Nash,

When all was said and done, Durant finished with 33 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 12-for-21 shooting (57.1%). On top of a vintage performance, the two-time Finals MVP also gave the fan base a bulletin board material-worthy quote in the postgame presser when he was asked whether the Suns were a measuring stick game for the Nets.

That’s the good stuff.

Though Durant stole all the headlines, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge the help he received from his teammates, as Kyrie Irving chipped in a casual 34 points, six rebounds and 12 assists (!) on 10-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from three.

Elsewhere, Jeff Green logged a team-best +13 in 34 minutes, and Joe Harris and Blake Griffin contributed with double-digit scoring. Even reserve guard Tyler Johnson, who doesn’t always get playing time, tallied eight points and an impressive +12 in just 16 minutes.

Our biggest takeaway? The Nets need to bubble wrap Durant until the playoffs, because if he’s firing on all cylinders — even if Harden is hampered by his hamstring — there’s no team in the league that can match up with them offensively.