Even with Kyrie Irving out, the Brooklyn Nets haven’t had the best start to their 2021-22 season. With a 3-3 record into Sunday night’s game against Detroit, the Nets have had a hit-or-miss start to the season, but at least Kevin Durant has looked like, well, Kevin Durant so far.
KD was averaging 28.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game entering Sunday’s game, shouldering a big burden as James Harden gets back into game shape and adjusts to the league’s new regulations, which have reduced shooting fouls. Durant’s game against the Pistons was cut short after 27 minutes when he threw a powerful elbow up high at Kelly Olynyk’s head on a screen, which was ruled a Flagrant 2 after review and earned Durant an expulsion.
The second replay demonstrates why Durant was ejected, as you can see him load up and deliver a forearm shiver to the neck/jaw of Olynyk. This was almost certainly the result of something enraged him, but whatever it was, it was a step too far, and he deserved his early trip to the locker room. As for the Nets, they were already comfortably ahead of Detroit, so Durant’s absence for the rest of the fourth wasn’t a major setback; it simply means KD will have to pay a fine to the league on Monday.
