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The Best of the Day: June 15th, 2021
See the best of the day in sports from June 15, 2021, including Kevin Durant's historic performance, 2020-21 All-NBA teams, and more!
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The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 6/15 here.
Kevin Durant had the performance of a lifetime in Game 5 against Milwaukee. In the absence of Kyrie, and with a rusty James Harden missing all eight of his 3PT attempts. KD carried the Nets to a crucial victory, and now only one win separates them from the ECF. The 2020-21 All-NBA teams were announced with Giannis Antetokounmpo being the only unanimous first-team selection. June 15th also marked the 2nd anniversary of the blockbuster Anthony Davis trade to LA.
Here is the best of the day from June 15, 2021:
Kevin Durant delivered the best performance of his career when the Nets needed it most
James Harden made his return for Brooklyn and struggled greatly, missing all eight of his three-point attempts, scoring only five points, but it was all about Kevin Durant on Tuesday night. He posted a ridiculous stat line of 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead the Nets to a pivotal Game 5 comeback victory. Additionally, KD played every single minute of the game and touched the ball on almost every single possession as Brooklyn needed each one. BRK now sits one win away from their first Conference Finals since 2003.
With Kyrie Irving out with an ankle injury, KD had to have a phenomenal performance, and he did more than that. Durant put the Nets on his back after facing a halftime deficit of 16. The Nets rallied back to take a pivotal Game 5 and earn a 3-2 series lead. The Bucks were powered behind Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s 34 points and Middleton‘s 25, but it wasn’t enough to match KD’s career performance. Now the Bucks need to win their final two games to win the series.
KD IS ON FIRE 😱 pic.twitter.com/B6VUdfdrOu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 16, 2021
KD is absolutely locked in. 🔒
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2021
41 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST triple-double for Durant.. @BrooklynNets up 3 with 6 minutes left on TNT. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/D5iqO669k0
Kevin Durant is the first player in NBA postseason history with 45 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in a game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 16, 2021
Durant had 30 points in a playoff half for the 2nd time in his career. He is the first Nets player with 30 points in a half over the last 25 postseasons. pic.twitter.com/gub60v4Lam
Kevin Durant of the @BrooklynNets is the first player to score 48+ points while playing all 48 minutes in a regulation playoff game since Kobe Bryant did it on May 13, 2001.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 16, 2021
In best-of-seven #NBA postseason series in which the home team won each of the first four games, the Game 5 winner wins the series 82% of the time (73–16); if that Game 5 winner is the home team, they win 91% of the time (60–6). #NBAPlayoffs
— Elias Sports Bureau (@EliasSports) June 16, 2021
Related: Stories of the Day
NETS NEEDED A GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM KD & HE DELIVERED IN HISTORIC FASHION
Tuesday was Kevin Durant’s night, as he played every minute in a crucial Game 5 and performed at the highest level. He’s the only player to record 45 or more points, 15 or more boards, and 10 or more assists in a playoff game ever. The Slim Reaper shot 69.6% from the field, which is the third-highest field goal percentage for a 40+ point triple-double in NBA postseason history. It wasn’t just that he put up these historic numbers on the stat sheet, but he made winning play after winning play when the game mattered most.
In a critical Game 5 that the Nets once trailed by 17 points, it was Durant who stepped up with 31 points in the second half, including 20 points in the 4th quarter. Plenty of contested heat checks fell as he completely took over down the stretch while Giannis’ play declined. KD had the opportunity to show that he was good enough to win by himself, and there are no questions anymore. He delivered.
COLORS KEY | FULL NETS OUTLOOK
KD is absolutely locked in. 🔒
— NBA (@NBA) June 16, 2021
41 PTS, 15 REB, 10 AST triple-double for Durant.. @BrooklynNets up 3 with 6 minutes left on TNT. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/D5iqO669k0
But there's more....
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 16, 2021
Kevin Durant shot 69.6 percent from the floor tonight, the third-highest field goal percentage in a 40-point triple-double in playoff history.
Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day
KD beats the shot clock for a triple
KD IS TOO CLUTCH 😱 pic.twitter.com/R1JJGg5V7T
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 16, 2021
Related: NBA Highlights
F Kevin Durant, BKN (W v.MIL): 49 PTS (16-23 FG | 4-9 3P), 10 AST, 17 REB, 2 BLK, 3 STL, 3 TO
#PlayerOfTheDay (6/15/21) - F Kevin Durant, BRK
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 16, 2021
TOP FACTS:
- 1st player w/ 45+ PTS/15+ REB/10+ AST in playoffs
- Broke Nets postseason PTS record (49)
- 1st w/ 48+ pts & play all 48 playoff MIN since Kobe '01
KEY STATS:
49 PTS, 17 REB, 10 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 16-23 FG https://t.co/gLLc1EnxxX
Related: Players of the Day
Milwaukee Bucks (108) vs. Brooklyn Nets (114)
[Highlights] #2 @NETS (+110; $11.03) d. #3 BUCKS (-130; $9.48) 114-108 [BKN +1.5 | PUSH 222] (BKN 3-2)
Related: Games of the Day
Related: Facts of the Day
2020-21 All-NBA teams were released
Biggest All-NBA snubs in 2020-21 included F Jayson Tatum, G Russell Westbrook, G James Harden, F Zion Williamson, and C Bam Adebayo pic.twitter.com/maiYob6g9v
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 16, 2021
Related: Latest PSO Posts
DATE: June 15, 2019
SIGNIFICANCE: Lakers landed All-NBA PF Anthony Davis in blockbuster trade, leading to a Championship in Year 1
FULL story on the Lakers blockbuster trade to land AD for Ingram, Lonzo, Hart, and a stockpile of draft pickshttps://t.co/qwvCBkaZqX
— Pro Sports Outlook (@PSO_Sports) June 16, 2021
Related: Significant Sports History
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