The 33-year-old finished with 51 points from 16/3 shots in 41 minutes on the floor along with 7 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 blocks.
“We’re missing James (Harden), we’re missing Paul Millsap, so I feel like I have to score a little bit more,” added Durant. “This team, Detroit, played with fire, they didn’t double the lead as often as other teams, so I was just trying to take advantage.”
Not only is Durant’s highest total score of the season, but Durant’s 51 is also a record for the Pistons’ Little Caesars Arena.
He surpassed the mark set by Nets teammate Blake Griffin of 50 points. It was the seventh 50-point match of Durant’s career.
For the Nets without the German, guard Patty Mills scored 18 points, while LaMarcus Aldridge added 15 points.
Cade Cunningham, who is chosen as No. 1 overall in 2021, leads Detroit with 26 points, while Frank Jackson has 25 points.
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