Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant turned in the most efficient offensive performance of his career on Wednesday night, going 12-for-13 from the field in a 118-103 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
“The game’s easy for Kevin,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It just is. I don’t think there’s ever been anybody as skilled at his size in the history of the league, so he just does whatever he wants.”
Durant repeatedly did whatever he wanted against the Grizzlies, hitting from all over the floor, while adding nine rebounds, five assists and two steals in 35 minutes of play. He finished with a game-high +30 and is now 17-for-19 from the field over his past two games.
Durant acknowledged that Wednesday was the best shooting performance of his career while noting that efficiency became his focus during the second year of his career as a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“2009,” Durant said. “My second year in the league. I started charting my shots and makes and misses throughout the game. That kind of reminded me to take good shots and it keeps me locked in on the flow of the game. So I guess it’s a game within a game.”
Durant’s efficiency left both his teammates and coaches in awe Wednesday.
“It’s unbelievable,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “He made all the right decisions. I know we had a couple turnovers as a team but just reading the situation, letting the game come to him. We obviously know he can put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court, but just picking and choosing his spots, knocking down shots, it’s what he does.”
After taking just six shots in Sunday’s win over the Detroit Pistons, Durant picked his spots throughout Wednesday’s game and found a rhythm early, going 7-for-7 in the first half and helping the Warriors close out the game late.
