Saturday 20 April 2019 00:05, UK
Stephen Curry hailed Kevin Durant's "amazing" 38-point performance that earned the Golden State Warriors an emphatic Game 3 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Durant was in unstoppable form in Game 3, needing just three quarters to race to 38 points on 14-for-23 shooting to lead the Warriors to a 132-105 hammering of the Clippers that sealed a 2-1 series lead.
All-Star MVP Durant hit three-pointers, hesitation jumpers and mid-range fadeaways in an elite offensive display.
"At the end of the day, he's gotta shoot the ball," Curry said of Durant. "He did and he made it. He was amazing tonight."
He came out super-aggressive," said Golden State forward Draymond Green. "And then… 'Kill Mode'."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr echoed the sentiments of Curry and Green. "He was aggressive from the start at both ends. He attacked," said Kerr. "He showed everybody who Kevin Durant is."
Durant also showcased his all-round game, handing out seven assists - including a delicious bounce pass in the paint to set up an Andrew Bogut lay-up - and making a huge block Clippers rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Durant, who received criticism after being ejected in Game 1 and fouling out in Game 2, did not feel he needed to answer those brickbats in Game 3. "I've been [in this league] for 12 years and I'm 30 - I don't need to show nobody nothing at this point," he said.
"Whatever my coach needs me to do, it doesn't matter what it is, I've just got to out there prepared mentally and physically. Tonight, no different."
The Clippers players were certainly left in no doubt about Durant's greatness. "He's a top-three player in this league. He is Kevin Durant," said Lou Williams.
"He is capable of making those shots. He's capable of playing at a high level and to tonight he did that."
Game 4 takes place in Los Angeles on Sunday at 8:30pm (UK time) - watch live on Sky Sports Arena.
