Brooklyn Nets recap: Kevin Durant erupts for 49 points, Nets take Game 5

Kevin Durant had a magnificent game to lead the Nets to a pivotal Game 5 win.

The Brooklyn Nets bounced back against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night and won a pivotal Game 5 behind a historic performance from superstar Kevin Durant.

The Nets were missing Kyrie Irving in the lineup, who is still recovering from an ankle injury, but welcomed the return of James Harden, who managed to get himself cleared to play for a crucial game.

Brooklyn came out shooting poorly from the field, going only 4-of-19 in the first quarter to score 15 points. Milwaukee capitalized off of it by shooting it at 50 percent to built a 14-point lead early.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (17 PTS, 7 REBS) had his imprints all over the first half for the Bucks along with his running mate in Khris Middleton (14 PTS, 4-12 FG) who was right there with him. Kevin Durant (18 PTS, 6-10 FG) and Jeff Green (15 PTS) kept the Nets close, but at the half it was clear they needed to make some adjustments defensively.

 

As the Nets continued to chip away at the deficit, they began to find their rhythm offensively. In fact, they were unconscious from the field and scored 38 points in the third quarter. It was the largest point total for a quarter by both teams in the game. Jeff Green scored 14 huge points in the third period to spark an inspiring comeback in a game they trailed by as many as 17 in. Not only did Green’s third quarter give the team life, but it also ignited Kevin Durant for a legendary fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant scored 20 points in the fourth quarter alone after not scoring at all in the fourth quarter of Game 4. He was taking over the game single handedly, not only by scoring, but by facilitating too. After hitting a fadeaway three in the closing moments of the game, Milwaukee could only foul after missing on the following possession.

Kevin Durant (49 PTS, 17 REBS, 10 ASTS) capped off a monumental performance with that clutch shot for Brooklyn. Durant marched on to go 16-for-23 from the field while making sure to play every minute of this game.