Thu. Dec 26th, 2024
Oklahoma City’s pick count over the next seven drafts: 14 first-rounders, 22 second-rounders and enough picks swaps to make your head spin. “When you simulate the GM mode in [NBA]2K, I tend to take the Sam Presti route and stack up picks,” Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, the face of the franchise during Oklahoma City’s previous stretch as a contender, said last month. “You got so many assets in this league, you can do so much with a team.” The Thunder have the luxury of such extreme patience in part because their superstar buys into the big picture. Gilgeous-Alexander signed a five-year maximum contract extension in the summer of 2021 when Oklahoma City was coming off a 22-50 season, a deal that notably does not include a player option. He doesn’t spend any time worrying about the Thunder’s timeline, trusting Presti to figure out the best path toward “sustained high performance over a long period of time,” as the GM put it.
Source: Tim MacMahon @ ESPN

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon
The Thunder — loaded with young talent and a stockpile of draft picks — are widely considered a contender in the making. Sam Presti refuses to rush the process. “We have to finish our breakfast before we start acting like we’re on the cusp of something.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id…9:56 AM
Josh Martin @Bulls_Wire
Kevin Durant discusses Bulls matchup ahead of Wednesday tilt vs. Suns bullswire.usatoday.com/lists/chicago-… pic.twitter.com/zjx21bgoXn9:05 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
For East Coast and early West Coast risers:
Frank Vogel addresses injuries to Devin Booker, Bradley Beal tinyurl.com/m9s87vxh
5 things learned as Kevin Durant goes for season-high 41 points in leading Phoenix Suns to much-needed win (w/videos) #Suns tinyurl.com/yje7ucub8:33 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Watch Kevin Durant drop 41, snap Suns three-game losing streak
nbcsports.com/nba/news/watch…9:35 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
5 things learned as Kevin Durant goes for season-high 41 points in leading Phoenix Suns to much-needed win over Detroit Pistons to snap three-game skid azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/1O39tU2gjB7:13 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I think we all had that mentality. Everybody was making plays tonight.”
Kevin Durant after #Suns win over #Pistons to snap three-game skid.
Sounds from winning lockerroom incoming.
“We’re excited, we finally got a W.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/mOqRuLB9cc7:00 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“He’s like the rest of us, tired of losing a couple this week.”
Frank Vogel on Kevin Durant after #Suns 120-106 win at Detroit. #Pistons. pic.twitter.com/uicHPx0PYo6:54 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“He was terrific. Scoring the ball in every way you can.”
Frank Vogel on Kevin Durant after a season-high 41 point effort in #Suns win over #Pistons to snap three-game skid. pic.twitter.com/Nz639O2rl46:53 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Coach Rajakovic’s Toronto beats the Spurs, KD scored 41 in Detroit #NBA #Eurowatch
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/15…6:32 PM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
KD gets his first 40-piece of the season in the win against Detroit 😤 pic.twitter.com/mxry7M7nyg5:59 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
The Suns have the luxury of leaning on Kevin Durant right now and he led the team today while a few other guys got back on track.
More from the win + the latest on the Devin Booker and Bradley Beal injuries: arizonasports.com/story/3537632/…5:51 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Monty: “They were tougher than us, they played harder than us pretty much most of the game. We had too many situations where we missed assignments to start games. When you don’t know the assignment against Kevin Durant, that’s a problem.” – 5:40 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Kevin Durant after season-high 41.
#Suns 120 #Pistons 106 Final. pic.twitter.com/ZUunSVDF2q5:33 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
FINAL: Suns 120, Pistons 106. KD went off for 41. Pistons have lost four-straight.
Cunningham: 26 points, 6 assists, 6 turnovers
Sasser: 22 points (career-high), 4-6 from 3
Thompson: 14 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks, 4 steals – 5:32 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Kevin Durant through the first 7 games:
29.9 PPG
6.6 RPG
4.0 APG
1.4 BPG
52.1 FG%
Once the Suns get whole and KD’s 34.6 3P% picks up…. – 5:31 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
KD today 🔥
41 PTS
5 AST
3 BLK pic.twitter.com/mub0bt9ctm5:29 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: PHX 120, DET 106
Durant: 41 Pts, 5 Ast, 14-27 FG
Gordon: 21-8-5, 8-14 FG
Allen: 14 Pts, 6-12 FG
Cunningham: 26 Pts, 6 Ast, 12-24 FG – 5:28 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant with 41. Timeout #Pistons.
#Suns up 19 late in 4th. – 5:24 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
First time Kevin Durant has reached 40 in a Suns jersey. Sure won’t be the last. That’s 41 for the afternoon. – 5:22 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
KD and a fan sitting behind Phoenix’s rim have exchanged trash talk every time KD’s gone to the line – 5:20 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Detroit had a chance to get its deficit down to 12 but Cade with a turnover and then Ausar got beat backdoor by KD. – 5:16 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant back in. #Suns up 100-86 with 7:52 left in game. #Pistons5:05 PM
Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
Easy money for KD 👀
35 points at the end of the third quarter.
(via @NBA)
pic.twitter.com/YE8zVx4Sxo5:00 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Losing the non-KD minutes again. Phoenix’s lead already out to 17 that quickly. – 4:59 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
KD scored 18 of his 35 points in the 3rd, on 6-8 shooting. He’s heated up after a cool start – 4:55 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
End of 3rd: Suns 92, Pistons 80. Detroit got it down to 10 before that late jumper from KD, after trailing by 19. Found some momentum, we’ll see if it’s too late.
Cunningham: 21 points, 5 assists
Sasser: 16 points
Thompson: 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks – 4:54 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
This next stretch will likely decide the game. Suns up 12 entering the fourth quarter. They were +12 for Durant’s rest in the first half. Any stability here and that should be it. – 4:54 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
END OF 3Q: Suns 92, Pistons 80. Detroit gives itself a chance with a solid 3Q — still gave up 34 points but KD was being KD.
Cunningham: 21 points
Thompson: 12 points
Sasser: 16 points
Durant is about to rest for a little bit. It’s now or never. – 4:54 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: PHX 92, DET 80
Durant: 35-5-4, 12-24 FG
Gordon: 21 Pts, 8-10 FG
Allen: 12 Pts, 5-11 FG
Cunningham: 21 Pts, 5 Ast, 10-19 FG – 4:54 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Kevin Durant is on his way to a 40-ball. 35 in 29 minutes as the Suns are without Booker and Beal – 4:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant over Stewart to end 3rd.
Has 35. #Suns up 12 after three. #Pistons4:53 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 3rd quarter: #Suns 92, #Pistons 80.
Cunningham: 21 pts, 3 rebs, 5 asts
Sasser: 16 pts, 2 rebs, 2 asts
Thompson: 12 pts, 7 rebs, 4 asts
Durant: 35 pts, 4 rebs, 5 asts (10-10 FT) – 4:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant celebrates Goodwin 3 off his assist.
#Suns up 10 as Durant posts his 3rd 30-point game in seven games this season.
Has 33. #Pistons4:51 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
In case you need me to tell you Kevin Durant has been excellent to start the season…. Kevin Durant has been excellent to start the season. – 4:51 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
I don’t wanna see another “KD is washed” comment for a long time. We can talk about ball security needing to improve, but I still can’t believe any of y’all entertained that at any point over the last 2 weeks – 4:50 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Huge pick by Eubanks frees Durant off Thompson.
Basket. #Suns up 10 as Cunningham answers. – 4:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns having problems containing Sasser.
Has 16 off the bench on 6-of-9 shooting (4-of-4 from 3). Timeout with 3:49 left in 3rd.
#Suns up 10.
Figure Durant will get rest to start fourth. This next 3:49 huge. Suns built lead with Durant sitting in 2nd quarter.
#Pistons4:46 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Nurkic backs down Duren deep into the post, draws foul.
Durant has been cut on arm or wrist. Getting it treated.
#Suns up 80-68. #Pistons4:41 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant with 29. #Suns up 80-63. #Pistons4:39 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Duren gets the flagrant for fouling KD on that 3-point attempt. So KD gets three free throws and the suns get the ball. – 4:37 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
KD and Gordon are heating up. Yup. – 4:31 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Cade with the quick left-handed dunk caught KD lol – 4:30 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Nurkic asked for coach’s challenge on last call, Vogel obliged, but Kevin Durant talked with Nurkic.
Can’t say what convo was about cause I’m a good distance away, but judging by how Durant pointed up to scoreboard, not sure he agreed with challenge.
Successful challenge #Suns4:28 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Pistons have done a solid job on Durant defensively so far. He has 17 points on 17 shots. Duren and Stewart just sandwiched him under the rim to prevent a layup – 4:23 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant has said he’s not looking to take 20-plus shots a game unless he has to, saying that’s not his normal game.
Already at 16 FGAs (made 6) at halftime.
Has 17 points. Suns up 58-49 at half. Eric Gordon 13.
Just saw #Suns assistant Greg St. Jean has arm in sling. #Pistons4:12 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Weird half. Suns are up 9. Okogie was excellent after Allen, Durant and Gordon all had strong starts. Pistons offense was ugly but did enough to still be within range. – 4:11 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: PHX 58, DET 49
Durant: 17-2-2-2, 6-16 FG
Gordon: 13 Pts, 6-8 FG
Okogie: 9 Pts, 4 Reb, 2 Stl
Cunningham: 13 Pts, 6-13 FG – 4:08 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant 5-of-14.
Suns are passing up 3s for contested 2s (3-of-9 on 3s).
Up five with 1:42 left. #Suns #Pistons4:03 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant back in. #Suns up 11. – 3:55 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant back in. #Suns down 13. – 3:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
While Jalen Rose roots for his hometown #Pistons, Eric Gordon keeps scoring.
Gordon with 11 on 5-of-6 shooting in 10 minutes. #Suns up 46-34 with Durant getting a rest. #Pistons pic.twitter.com/JHKgsX5LZT3:48 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Huge spurt for the Suns while Durant rests. Gordon has been terrific over this stretch and a few plays from Okogie too. – 3:48 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Umude misses a 3 and then fouls Watanabe from 3 … and he makes it.
Pistons losing the non-KD minutes by 11. Not ideal. – 3:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns up 28-27 after one.
Durant 13 points on 5-of-11.
Rest of #Suns: 15 points on 7-of-13.
Grayson Allen 7 (1-of-2 from 3)
Suns 1-of-6 from deep.
Cunningham, Bagley III 6 points each for #Pistons3:38 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Ausar Thompson just had two really good contests on KD, who missed both.
End of the 1st quarter: #Suns 28, #Pistons 27.
Bagley: 6 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast
Cunningham: 6 pts
Sasser: 5 pts, 1 reb
Kevin Durant: 13 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast – 3:36 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: PHX 28, DET 27
Durant: 13 Pts, 5-11 FG
Allen: 7-2-2, 3-5 FG
Eubanks: 4 Pts
Cunningham: 6 Pts, 3-6 FG
Suns up 22-18 in points in the paint – 3:36 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
END OF 1Q: Suns 28, Pistons 27. Detroit loses the KD minutes by one. Imagine he’s about to sit now and Cade is rested.
Cunningham/Bagley: 6p each
Sasser: 5 points
Thompson: 4 points – 3:36 PM
Omari Sanfoka II @omarisankofa
Nice defense by Thompson on KD there. Especially the second time, cut off that drive perfectly – 3:35 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Ausar’s defense on KD that entire possession should be studied. – 3:35 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Pistons are making KD work on defense. Phoenix played yesterday. He’s missed a few jumpers early.
Bagley just fouled him on a 3-point attempt, though. – 3:27 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant drives it at Bagley III, scores, Vogel draws tech after play, thinking Bagley III fouled Durant.
#Suns up 21-16. – 3:26 PM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Great start from Allen and Durant. – 3:26 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant, Allen to the rim. #Suns up two. #Pistons3:25 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Oh my, KD. That man’s head has a family – 3:24 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Killian Hayes dribbled and dribbled and went baseline and kept dribbling and Kevin Durant stayed with him, blocked his shot and corralled the ball.
#Suns down 10-7 – 3:16 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Suns starting lineup Sunday at #Pistons
Eric Gordon
Grayson Allen
Kevin Durant
Keita Bates-Diop
Jusuf Nurkic
Same starting lineup as Saturday’s game at #76ers. #Suns1:58 PM
Austin Krell @NBAKrell
Wanda Durant, mother of Kevin Durant and president of O.U.R. Mothers Inc, is partnering with the Sixers to host a pep rally at the Community Partnership School in North Philly on Monday.
Ms. Durant will emphasize education through curiosity, courage, & compassion. – 12:14 PM

More on this storyline

Justin Kubatko: Kevin Durant yesterday: 41 PTS 14-27 FG 12-12 FT It’s his 66th career 40-point game, tying Jerry West for 12th on the NBA’s all-time list. It’s the 70th time he’s made 10+ FT in a game without a miss, second only to Dirk Nowitzki (72). More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… pic.twitter.com/nDK0rC2ilW -via Twitter @jkubatko / November 6, 2023
Nick DePaula: “The KD 2s, I want to retro those again.” — @KDTrey5 on #NBAhooperVision -via Twitter @NickDePaula / November 6, 2023
Duane Rankin: “I know he can’t wait to start.” Kevin Durant on Bradley Beal (back), who is close to making his Suns regular season debut. Could be as early as Wednesday at Chicago. #Suns pic.twitter.com/9UJWJMzX5k -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / November 5, 2023

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