Associated Press12:52 AM ET2 Minute Read
PHOENIX – Kevin Durant is a 13-time All-Star, two-time NBA champion, four-time points leader and has done just about everything else a player can do in the game of basketball.
But even he can get a little nervous on a night like Wednesday.
Devin Booker had 29 points, Durant had 16 points and eight rebounds in his home debut and the Phoenix Suns won their third straight game, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 107-100.
After a huge ovation from the sell-out crowd — who waited more than a month to see him play a game in Phoenix after his trade from Brooklyn — Durant missed his first six shots and finished 5 of 18 from the field, though he did hit a few important ones 3-pointers at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“It was hard for me to fall asleep today, it was hard for me to stop thinking about the game,” Durant said. “Sometimes you can want it too much and come out, start rushing and being out of character.”
“I’m glad I’m back, I’m glad I’m playing again and I’m one of the guys. I just build from here.”
The Suns are also 4-0 with Durant on nerves. The Timberwolves were on a four-game winning streak.
The Suns and Wolves are in the middle of the Western Conference playoff race, struggling to stay in the top six lest they fall into the play-in tournament. At this point, every game is crucial – just three wins separated the 4th-11th place on Wednesday.
The Suns took a 81-74 lead in the fourth quarter and maintained it in the last few minutes.
Durant switched shoes at halftime hoping for slightly better mojo.
“I thought he fought at both ends,” said Suns coach Monty Williams. “I think his cardio needs to get back to the level he wants. Once he achieves that, we will see the Kevin we all know.”
Chris Paul added 19 points and six assists for Phoenix.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 31 points. Added Karl Anthony cities 25.
Durant played for the first time since March 5th. Three days later, he was preparing for his first home game with the Suns when he sprained his left ankle during pregame prep. The injury cost him 10 games.
The timing of that ankle injury – less than an hour before his expected home debut – felt like a bad omen for the Suns, who added 34-year-old Durant in a blockbuster trade deadline deal that included Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder and draft picks back to the nets.
But Phoenix managed to tread water without its newest star in the standings. His second attempt on his home debut went much better, even though his shot was off the mark.
The Timberwolves took a 51-48 lead at halftime. Towns scored 20 points and hit four 3-pointers. Booker led the Suns by 12.