NBA analyst Nick Wright has said that Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant’s performance in the 2021 playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks was the best in the history of the NBA, especially his display in Game 5 of the series. Durant averaged 35.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game throughout the series, and Wright likened him to Los Angeles Lakers ace LeBron James.
“Kevin Durant, much like LeBron, kicked a** in the playoffs and never stopped. … I really hope people don’t forget Game 5,” he said in an episode of the What’s Wright? podcast.
Durant is widely regarded as the best player in the NBA thanks to his reach, agility, and scoring capability. In Game 5 of the 2021 playoffs against the Bucks, Durant recorded 49 points, 17 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals. He did so while shooting 16 of 23.
5 YEARS AGO TODAY
Kevin Durant drops 39 PTS (14/20 FG) & wins his first NBA Championship & Finals MVP! pic.twitter.com/eMWhNkmYmf— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 12, 2022
LeBron approves of Durant’s performance in 2021 playoffs
James retired early from the NBA Playoffs 2021, but he continued to watch the games. The Lakers star player praised Durant for his stellar display in Game 2 that helped give the Nets a 2-0 lead over the Bucks. In the game, Durant performed a successful crossover over Defensive Player of the Year Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo. James took to Twitter to praise Durant for the feat.
That combo was nasty @KDTrey5!! My GOODNESS!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) June 8, 2021
Durant scored a whopping total of 32 points in the game, helping the Nets to claim a 125-86 win. The Nets dominated the entirety of Game 2, continuously registering three-point field goals and shooting 50 percent from three-point range.
Kyrie Irving, who scored 22 points, also recorded six assists while also shooting 52.9 percent from the field. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo only scored 18 points in the game.
Nothing to see here, just another 30+ point night for Kev
📼 @KDTrey5 📼 pic.twitter.com/3zrnADSqLV
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 8, 2021
Nets fail to reach 2021 NBA Finals
The Bucks entered the series against the Nets after defeating the Miami Heat 4-0, and while they were humiliated throughout Games 1 and 2 in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, they managed to prevent the Nets from entering the finals.
The Bucks ultimately bounced back starting from the third game, where they recorded a tight win of 86-83. They continued to win in Game 4, registering a score of 107-96. They came to be defeated again in Game 5, with the Nets winning 114-108, but retaliated in Game 6, winning 104-89. Finally, in Game 7, the Bucks defeated the Nets 115-111, resulting in Milwaukee winning the series and advancing to the finals.
Absolutely had to slow down this @KDTrey5 goodness 👀 pic.twitter.com/DXmsQ9g1Nc
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) June 8, 2021
Durant turned 34 in September last year. His career with the Nets has been plagued with injuries for the last three seasons. The player suffered a torn Achilles back in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, which resulted in him missing all of the 2019-20 season. In the 2020-21 season, he played in only 35 of the Nets’ 72 games due to a series of hamstring injuries. That being said, he was allowed to feature in the playoff.
Last season, he was limited to playing in only 55 games thanks to a knee injury. The Nets finished the season 33-49.