NBA Top Five Performances, April 2: Kevin Durant’s 35 Points Helped the Phoenix Suns Win Against the Oklahoma City Thunder

TOP PLAYERS OF THE DAY:

When Kevin Durant got injured in pregame shootarounds a few weeks ago, worries set in for the Phoenix Suns’ championship aspirations. Those concerns have been wiped away by the Suns’ five-game win streak, which was extended after Durant’s 35-point performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Durant had 13 fourth quarter points, along with the block on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the final two minutes. The Suns improved to 6-0 with Durant in the lineup, averaging 115.8 points in those games.

“There’s not a way that he can’t score,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “I think the thing that nobody talks about with those kinds of players is that they want those shots. They’re so used to having the ball in their hands. I don’t wanna call it a luxury and disrespect those moments, but guys work their tails off to be ready for those shots. Him and Booker are case and point.”

OTHERS:

- The Brooklyn Nets inched closer to a playoff berth behind Mikal Bridges’ 30-point performance against the Utah Jazz.

- Zach LaVine fueled the Chicago Bulls’ second half surge against the Memphis Grizzlies with 36 points, nine assists and three rebounds.

- Jalen Brunson helped the New York Knicks clinch a playoff berth with 27 points in the victory against the Washington Wizards.

- Anthony Davis had 40 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ blowout win against the Houston Rockets. It was Davis’ third 40-point performance this season, moving Los Angeles closer to avoiding the play-in tournament.

Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.