The Golden State Warriors allowed a 31-point comeback in Game 2 against the Clippers, and Kevin Durant’s career-worst performance certainly didn’t help.
Kevin Durant wasn’t the sole reason for the Los Angeles Clippers historic comeback, but his play didn’t help prevent it. Durant’s nine-turnover game could very well go down as the worst single-game performance of his career.
This season, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.9 assists and 2.9 turnovers per game. In Game 1, Durant was his typical self, scoring 23 points on 8-for-16 shooting. However, in Game 2, Patrick Beverley by far won their matchup.
Durant totaled nine turnovers, eight shot attempts and 21 points. While he did manage five assists and five rebounds, he also fouled out, hurting the Warriors who needed his clutch-play ability down the stretch.
Game 2 was the first time in Durant’s 11-year career that he had more turnovers than shot attempts. A player that has career averages of 18.7 shots and 3.1 turnovers per game was absolutely dominated by the gritty, formerly overseas-competing Patrick Beverley.
The Warriors, as a team, put up 131 points, so seeing under a fifth of those come from the four-time scoring champ is rare by itself. However, the combination of turnovers with points and assists makes this game even more unique.
Durant has had bad shooting nights before. Just this year, he’s shot just 3-for-14 and 5-for-16. However, this was a different type of disappointing from Durant. It wasn’t just missed shots; Durant was just completely outplayed and lacked the effort needed to overpower the smaller Bev.
Combining for 22 overall turnovers, the Warriors were stunned by the intense Clipper defense. It wasn’t just their defense, but their defense combined with shot making. It’s not every game that both highly-efficient teams shoot over 50% from the field.
The Dubs couldn’t stop anyone on defense, and they couldn’t control the ball on offense. And, the fact that this may go down as Durant’s worst game in his career and easily his worst of the season certainly didn’t help their cause.
However, we get graced with an attempt at redemption tonight. Let’s hope Golden State can down Los Angeles in Game 3 that will take place tonight at 7:30 at the renown Staples Center.