Brooklyn Nets Star Kevin Durant Has Huge Game in Loss to Chicago Bulls

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant added another dominant game to his incredible career, but it was all for naught. Durant exploded for a game-high 44 points on only 22 field goal attempts against the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night, but his Nets still fell 121-112.

42 for @KDTrey5 pic.twitter.com/vgRNCrO0ig
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 5, 2023

Durant nailed 15 of his 22 field goal attempts, five of his 10 three-point attempts, and all nine of his free throw attempts. He added four rebounds, five assists, a steal, and two blocks. It wasn't enough. The Bulls hit 43 of their 81 field goal attempts, 40.0% of their three-point attempts, and out-rebounded the Nets 46 to 34.

Durant's exceptional play this year has rescued the Nets from another drama-heavy offseason and kept them squarely in contention in the Eastern Conference. In addition to scoring 29.9 points per game, he's averaging career-best numbers in field goal percentage (.568) and true shooting percentage (.680). Durant is one of the greatest players of all time, and there's an argument to be made that he's having the best season of his career.

The Nets are third in the Eastern Conference standings at 25-13 and have won nine of their last 10. They have a real chance to finally deliver on the championship promise that tantalized fans back when Durant and Kyrie Irving first came together in 2019.