Kevin Durant scored 51 points in a 116-104 win over the Pistons in Detroit on Sunday, which was the most points in an NBA game this season.
With James Harden resting for the first time this season, Stephen Curry was the only player with a 50-point game.
The Pistons lost for the 12th straight time as Kevin Durant made 16 of 31 shots from the field, including five 3-pointers, and had 9 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
Nets coach Steve Nash said that Kevin was incredible. It was not an easy night. They played hard. There is a lot of energy. We were playing different lineups. There were some challenges for us because there were different guys trying to find the spacing and spots and where to be. He was able to score 51 and 9 assists, 7 rebound, 2 blocks and steal. It's unbelievable.
With Harden, Millsap, Joe Harris, and Irving not with the team, the Nets used their ninth starting lineup, and that's where the constant force was.
He is leading the NBA in scoring with 29.4 points per game. Milwaukee's Antetokounmpo is second at 27.3. Curry is third in the league in scoring at 27.1.Durant is second at 27.1.
This was the eighth time in his career that he has scored 50 points, but the first with the Nets.
With Harden resting, he did not feel like he was responsible to score.
"I feel like we have enough scoring," he said. The offense will take care of itself if we stick to the game plan and play physical. I thought I should be more aggressive because we went cold for a second.
He scored 16 points in the third quarter, including the first 13 points for the Nets, after making 7 of 8 shots.
Nets point guard Patty Mills said it was very special. "Obviously, special for him, but I think it's special for everyone that was able to take part in that and be up close and personal to what happened tonight."
