Kevin Durant finished with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and three steals on 16 of 23 shooting from the field.
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The Brooklyn Nets appeared to be in serious trouble in Game 5 when they went down by 17 points in the second half. With Kyrie Irving out and James Harden limping, they still had Kevin Durant, and he led them all the way back for a 114-108 win to take a 3-2 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday.
Kevin Durant was sensational, as he put together one of the best playoff performances in recent times. Playing all 48 minutes, he finished with 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, two blocks and three steals on 16 of 23 shooting from the field. His three-pointer to beat the shot clock late in the fourth quarter was the biggest bucket of the night, and he hit some clutch free throws to secure the win. This was his highest-scoring game as a member of the Nets, and it could not have come at a better time.
? @KDTrey5 drops 31 of his 49 points in the 2nd half, including 20 in the 4th quarter to power the @BrooklynNets to a 17-point comeback win and a 3-2 series lead! #ThatsGame #NBAPlayoffs
Game 6 – Thursday, 8:30pm/et, ESPN pic.twitter.com/qnRilaJx2p
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2021
The Nets won this game because Kevin Durant was playing for them and not the Bucks. He broke an entire team, he’s unguardable right now and he’s the best basketball player in the world. The Nets needed him on the floor doing everything for the entire game. I mean that quite literally.
Durant played all 48 minutes, becoming the first player since 2018 LeBron James to do so in a playoff game. He didn’t take a single breather, and he still managed to score 31 points in the second half alone. He is the first player in NBA history with 45 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a playoff game.
A 49-point triple-double. Just incredible.
? @KDTrey5 ? pic.twitter.com/nRNmDN2qaC
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 16, 2021
Durant might be so good right now that the Nets can escape this series with a hobbled Harden, a fact that should terrify the rest of the playoff teams.
The Bucks had the chance to respond and put the Nets on the brink of elimination as they entered the fourth quarter with a six-point lead. It was a golden opportunity to make a statement as a title contender.
The Bucks seemed to be in control up until the 3rd quarter. Jeff Green shot an astonishing 88% from downtown as he converted 7 of 8 of his three-pointers. Momentum shifted as Durant started getting hot from the field.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 34 points, 12 rebounds and four assists, but it wasn’t enough. Milwaukee’s offense was utterly poor, as they scored just 21 points in the fourth quarter.
OH. MY. GIANNIS. pic.twitter.com/wYTSgwEl5O
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 16, 2021
The Bucks only have themselves to blame after such a turnaround. Solid showings from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday weren’t enough for the Bucks, who now must win two in a row to advance to their second Eastern Conference Finals in three years.
Now, they’ll face a must-win Game 6 at home on Friday to keep their season alive.
