The Kyrie-less Nets blow out the Detroit Pistons and improve their record to 4-3. James Harden scored 18 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists and his first triple-double of the season. KD had more than an efficient night from the floor only missing 3 of his 13 shots from the field and scoring 23 points with 5 assists and 1 block.
Detroit Pistons star Jerami Grant who was once a Denver Nuggets player and also was placed 2nd in most improved player behind Julius Randle last year scored only 11 points on 5 of 15 shooting. nets dominated the who game shooting 65.3% from the field as a team, 52% from the three-point line. They out-rebounded the Pistons by 12.
Kevin Durant was also ejected from the game in the 3rd quarter, as he was setting up a screen he shoved Kylly Olynyk on the face and was charged with flagrant 2 which is an automatic ejection as the play included hitting above the shoulder. Harden carried the whole team with his triple-double onto a comfortable win.
Kevin Durant was ejected after this foul was ruled a Flagrant 2. pic.twitter.com/d7RdSFwCZk
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 1, 2021
Even though the Nets won the game comfortably, the whole team except for Kevin Durant has been struggling, with the Kyrie and vaccine situation and him not being able to play until then is a big blow to the Nets for their championship aspiration. Harden was also in rehab for his hamstring injury and is still struggling with his cardio and shooting, with also new rules implementation his greatest strength of initiating contact and earning free throws has also diminished.