“Undisciplined” networks waste the best degree within the march of KD 55

ATLANTA — Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant scored 55 profession factors, together with eight three-pointers in his profession Saturday night time — however these weren’t the numbers he targeted on after a disappointing 122-115 loss to the online. Atlanta Hawks.

Durant stated he was annoyed that his workforce was “disorderly” defensively, and could not recover from the truth that Brooklyn allowed the Hawks to go to the free throw line 49 instances in comparison with solely 19 makes an attempt at nets.

“We pollute early,” Durant stated. “We put them into the bounty early each three months; 37-14 [difference in] Free throw makes. And that is not due to the referees, it is as a result of we arrived and have been undisciplined and performed very aggressively. That is the sport. They shot 42% from the sphere which is a good protection 31[%] From 3. They outperformed us by two, and one go greater than us… They’re simply errors. And we won’t try this if we wish to be a successful workforce.”

With the loss, the Nets 40-38 slipped to tenth within the Jap Convention with solely 4 video games remaining within the common season. On an evening they have been presupposed to rejoice Durant’s brilliance – particularly contemplating the nets have been enjoying with out Goran Dragic (well being and security protocols), Bruce Brown (non-COVID sickness) and Seth Curry (sprained left ankle) – The Nets have been left to lament the truth that they They weren’t in a position to assist end an necessary match on a workforce that simply jumped up the rankings.

“I do not even really feel like he is had 55 tonight,” Nets guard Keri Irving stated. “Are you aware what I imply? Simply how we really feel concerning the match after that.”

For his half, Durant – who completed the night time 19-28 from the sphere, 8-10 from outdoors the arc, 11th of September from the foul streak and added seven rebounds and three assists in 42 minutes–said that this specific loss had not been extra disappointing than an evening out. his profession.

“Each loss deflates,” Durant stated. “I am not fearful about that, I am simply mad concerning the loss. I am glad I hit the ball nicely. I made eight seconds, which is a excessive run, however I want we solely went out with W earlier than I did the little issues. My factors would come, my pictures would come, however issues The little we have now to do, we have now to be on the identical web page.”

Like lots of his teammates, Irving struggled to seek out rhythm on each ends of the ground. He solely completed 12 for 32 from the sphere and took “full duty” for his must do a greater job defensively on the publish and “play with out errors”. On high of the defensive points, Irving was upset that he and the remainder of the nets could not do extra to assist Durant in assault.

“We simply should lighten the load on the finish of the offensive,” Irving stated. “It should be Kevin Durant. We all know who he’s. We all know what he is able to, however we have now to be there to help him. And we have now to be there keen to play as a lot as he’s and never let the frustrations seep in in any respect.”

Regardless of the loss, each Durant and Irving are nonetheless satisfied the Nets can nonetheless get again on observe earlier than the match begins in lower than two weeks.

“I am unable to are available in right here appearing like I am dropping confidence,” Durant stated. “We misplaced a couple of video games and we’ll maintain enjoying till it is over. That is how I really feel.”

The Nets on Saturday squandered Durant’s all-time efficiency in an eventful Corridor of Fame run. They might not benefit from the peak of his private achievements as a result of the low was too low.

“We did not play recreation,” Nets coach Steve Nash stated. “I am unable to actually coat it with sugar.”