INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 25: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of the game against the Indiana Pacer at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 25, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets faces a loss against the Celtics even after Kevin Durant blocks Jayson Tatum
Throughout his career, Kevin Durant has attempted countless of basketball’s most impossible shots, but what occurred on this one was exceedingly unusual. This time Kevin Durant blocks Jayson Tatum. In order to defeat the Boston Celtics, the Brooklyn Nets did what any NBA team in that situation would have done: they passed the ball to Kevin Durant and moved out of his way.
By the time Durant separated from his opponent, drove to the basket, applied the brakes, and shot a fadeaway jumper from high above his head, his teammates might as well have been in the stands in Fenway Park.
Nobody of Durant’s stature had ever moved in this circumstance with such elegance in the history of NBA. Furthermore, nobody has ever been more difficult to stop. NBA defences have seen this scenario in its identical form enough times to envision it ending in a smash.
Nothing in the NBA Playoffs’ finest first-round matchup is more meaningful than Tatum blocking Durant’s shots. Tatum is frequently included in the mass of Boston players around Durant whenever Kevin Durant touches the ball. With Game 3 on Saturday night in Brooklyn, the Celtics have a 2-0 lead over the Nets, even after Kevin Durant blocks Jayson Tatum.
Tatum is a specialist at troubling Durant, who is going through a terrible series while being defended by Tatum, despite not being the greatest defender on a team featuring Marcus Smart, the league’s defensive player of the year.
According to the stats, Tatum was able to keep Durant to just eight points, seven turnovers, zero assists, and 2-of-13 shooting – including those incredible blocks – despite shooting 11-for-28 as compared to the other Celtics.