Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant hasn't gotten out of the second round of the playoffs since leaving the Golden State Warriors in 2019. The two-time NBA Finals MVP's best chance of making a deep run since then may have been with the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant signed with the Nets in June 2019 and sat out the next season due to his Achilles injury. The two-time NBA champion then helped Brooklyn beat the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs the year after that, but got eliminated by the eventual champion Milwaukee Bucks in seven games the next round.
Superstar teammates James Harden and Kyrie Irving got injured during the series, but Durant almost willed the Nets to a win with his 48-point performance in Game 7. However, the future Hall of Famer's toe was on the three-point line when he made a game-tying shot to send the contest into overtime, and it would've been the game-winner had it been a three. Brooklyn eventually lost 115-111.
The Nets then traded Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in February 2022, and they got swept by the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs that year. A fan asked Durant if he was satisfied with his performance in that series on Tuesday, via social media.
Russell Westbrook
Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook (4) and Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35).
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
"Of course not, ima perfecionist, how u think I got so great?? Did u use those 4 games as a declaration of my talent?" he said.
"Just checking, and no, I didn’t, I just expected you and Kyrie to get a game. Appreciate the reply," the fan responded.
"One game would’ve had u saying the same thing," Durant retorted. "You a rings culture guy, if it ain’t bout the ring. It don’t mean [expletive]. I get it, brother."
Brooklyn traded Durant to the Suns in February 2023, and he led the latter team to a second-round exit vs. the eventual champion Denver Nuggets. Phoenix then got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round the next year, and didn't make the playoffs this season.
Durant is now entering the final year of his contract.