NBA: OKC dominates Denver, winning return for Durant in Brooklyn, losing for Lillard in Portland
AFP
February 1, 2024 09:25 AM ET
Kevin Durant, author of 33 points for Phoenix, during the NBA match against the Nets on Wednesday at the Barclays Center AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
The Oklahoma City Thunder won against champion Denver, and Kevin Durant made a winning comeback in Brooklyn on Wednesday in the NBA, unlike Damian Lillard.
. OKC wins West clash
The Oklahoma City Thunder continues the shocks at the top of the Western Conference. After a defeat Monday against Minnesota which allowed the Wolves to take the lead in the standings, OKC rebounded with a 105-100 victory against defending champion Denver. As usual, the tireless Canadian leader Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took control of the score (34 points) with a lot of drives towards the basket and caused numerous fouls (12 out of 13 on free throws). The Nuggets were, however, deprived of the MVP of the last finals, Serbian pivot Nikola Jokic. This victory allows the Thunder (33 wins – 15 losses) to take 2nd place from the Nuggets (33-16), and to find themselves only one victory behind Minnesota (34-14), big winner of the Dallas Mavericks (121- 87), deprived of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. French center Rudy Gobert scored 17 points and collected 6 rebounds for the Wolves.
Durant wins in his old home
A big star of the league with two titles (2017 and 2018), Kevin Durant (35 years old) played again at the Barclays Center for the first time since his transfer to Phoenix last season. The fans gave a warm welcome to the winger selected for the 14th time in the All-Star Game, celebrated by his frankness in a video broadcast before the match. With 33 points and 8 assists, “KD” led the Suns to victory against the Nets (136-120). After failing to lead the former Nets trio to the title (with Irving and James Harden), Durant renews the experience in Phoenix with Devin Booker and Bradley Beal. Damian Lillard also made his comeback to Portland, where he played eleven seasons before being transferred to Milwaukee this summer. “Dame” (25 points) was greeted with a long standing ovation before the match, lost 119 to 116 by the Bucks.
. The Clippers advance
Bilal Coulibaly (left) and James Harden (right) during the NBA meeting between the Clippers and Washington on Wednesday / Patrick Smith / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Although deprived of Paul George, the Los Angeles Clippers won a ninth meeting in the last eleven matches, against Washington (125-109), thanks in particular to Kawhi Leonard (31 points, 9 rebounds). and James Harden (25 points, 9 rebounds). Opposite, French rookie Bilal Coulibaly stood out with 19 points, one unit shy of his record, 4 rebounds and 2 assists.
. Spurs dominated
Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs were dominated at home by the Orlando Magic (108-98), due to a botched 3rd quarter. Victor Wembanyama, comfortable at the start of the game, compiled 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 blocks. Already selected for the young talents match, played during the All-Star weekend, as well as for the skills challenge competition, the French giant (2.24 m) will know on Thursday if he is selected at 20 years old by the coaches to play in the All-Star Game on February 18 in Indianapolis.
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