PALM DESERT, Calif. – Kevin Durant knew two things after the first quarter.
His shot was in fits and starts, and it was just a matter of time before he found a rhythm.
After missing six of his first seven shots, Durant came on fire, hitting 7 of 7 shots in the second quarter as the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers 123-100 in preseason on Thursday night. Acrisure had a packed auditorium with 10,203 spectators.
“My shot was going in and out,” Durant said. “I had a good run and got to where I wanted to be but they were coming in and out. I thought it was new rims, new balls. Just getting used to it and finding my feel there. I’ve been through that A lot of times, it starts slow and then it goes. “It’s a matter of time. “
With Devin Booker (rested) and Bradley Beal (lower tightness) sidelined for Phoenix’s final preseason game, Durant shot 8-for-14 (3-for-3 from 3-point range) in 17 first-half minutes. 2) Scored 21 points against the Lakers.
“Tough shot,” Suns coach Frank Vogel said. “These guys have had great games, but they’re shooting at such a high rate that once he gets to his spots, he can start going like he did in the second quarter. Man, he’s hot. Let’s all be excited about this year’s Very excited about the achievement.”
Lakers head coach Davin Hamm echoed Vogel’s comments about the team’s defense, but he also acknowledged Durant’s shooting ability.
“That’s Durant being Durant,” Hamm said.
Durant did not play in the second half and returned to the bench in street clothes.
This is the Lakers’ home preseason game just two hours from Palm Springs and Los Angeles.
LeBron James and Durant give fans a bang for their buck. James made 6 of 12 shots from the field and 3 of 5 three-pointers and scored 19 points.
Entering the second half, James also grabbed 6 rebounds and sent 2 assists in 22 minutes.
This is also the first meeting between Durant and James since Durant played for the Golden State Warriors on Christmas Day 2018.
It’s only the preseason, but Durant is excited for the chance to share the court with another all-time great.
“It’s always exciting to be on the court with one of the best players of all time, one of the five best players of all time,” Durant said. “It brings out the best in everyone on the field, fans, staff, players, coaches. So it’s always an honor regardless of ability. It could have been a pickup game. “We let Everyone brings out the best in them. “
There was a moment in the second quarter when Durant and James traded baskets, eliciting cheers, oohs and oohs from the crowd.
Durant and James haven’t played against each other in years, mainly due to injuries.James was already 38 when he was 21Yingshi During the NBA season, Durant has just turned 35 and is about to celebrate his 16th birthdayth During the NBA season, they may not have many more opportunities to compete with each other.
“It’s an honor,” Durant said. “I know we’re all getting there. “It might be the end of this little back-and-forth, but it’s always good to have those moments on the field with him. “
The Suns will face the Lakers next Thursday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the second regular season game for both teams.
Do you have any thoughts on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or call him at 480-787-1240.Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @duanerankin.
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