Kevin Durant had one of the greatest performances in NBA playoffs history three years ago on June 15, 2021. Fans remembered KD’s heroic effort for the Brooklyn Nets in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Durant had a triple-double in the Nets’ 114-108 win to take a 3-2 series lead over the Bucks. He finished with 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists with three steals and two blocks. He went 16-for-23 from the field, including 4-for-9 from beyond the arc.
The former MVP was 13-for-16 from the free throw line and was just a point away from tying his playoff career high. He torched P.J. Tucker, Khris Middleton, or whoever was defending him that night at the Barclays Center. It was an unforgettable performance from one of the best ever.
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NBA fans were in awe after reminiscing about the performance Kevin Durant had. He’s coming off a disappointing postseason with the Phoenix Suns, getting swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round to send the franchise in turmoil entering just his second full season there.
Nevertheless, fans had a lot of praise for the future Hall of Famer:
“Top 5 playoffs performance ever,” one fan wrote.
“He deserved the championship that year more than anyone else. Historic performance KD,” a fan commented.
“The greatest performance I’ve ever seen. Sadly this series was ruined by Joe Fraudis,” another fan claimed.
Others were baffled with Kevin Durant scoring 49 points in just 22 shots. He did go to the free throw line 16 times, but it’s still amazing efficiency from the two-time NBA champion.
“49 points on 22 shots gotta be the craziest stat here,” a fan remarked.
“Tbh as a KD hater, bro, this was one of the best games from an individual I ever witnessed,” one fan wrote.
“KD’s best game ever in my opinion. I watched it from start to finish,” another fan commented.
Kevin Durant and the Nets lost the series in Game 7 classic
The Milwaukee Bucks forced a Game 7 back to the Barclays Center with a blowout win the previous game at the Fiserv Forum. That final game was an instant classic with back-and-forth from all the great players such as Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Durant had another great game with 48 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He could have sent the Nets to the Eastern Conference finals at the end of regulation if his shoe size was a bit smaller. It was one of the biggest what-ifs in NBA history as Antetokounmpo closed things out with 40 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.
Brooklyn never recovered from that loss as they were swept in the first round the next year and Durant was traded to the Phoenix Suns last season. On the other hand, the Bucks won their first NBA championship in 50 years.