Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players in the history of the NBA. His skill and production make that unquestionable, but Durant’s postseason success outside his stint with the Warriors is often questioned. Since leaving the Warriors in 2019 to prove he can win a title on his own, Durant hasn’t made it out of the second round.
Kevin Durant since leaving Golden State
2020 NBA Playoffs: Missed Playoffs (Injury)
2021 NBA Playoffs: Lost 3-4 to Milwaukee Bucks in Eastern Conference Semifinals
2022 NBA Playoffs: Lost 0-4 to Boston Celtics in Eastern Conference First Round
2023 NBA Playoffs: Lost 2-4 to Denver Nuggets in Western Conference Semifinals
In that period, Durant has had All-Star teammates such as Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Chris Paul.
His fate for the 2024 Playoffs is in question right now, but the Suns have a hill to climb in overcoming their 0-2 deficit to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round.
With another loss, it’ll be five seasons since his last game as a Warrior in the 2019 NBA Finals.
He earned his two titles and two Finals MVPs in Golden State, but the lack of adversity he faced will always make people question the validity of that achievement compared to the title-winning triumphs of his peers such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and mainly, Stephen Curry. Curry won a title before Durant joined him and then after he left, which makes KD’s contributions to that Warriors dynasty lose its sheen.
Kevin Durant Has Had Bad Luck
Not all of Durant’s losses are purely on the merit of on-court action. His loss with the Nets to the Bucks in the second round of the 2021 Playoffs is the biggest indicator of bad luck stopping Durant from winning another title.
The Brooklyn Nets, with Durant, Irving, and Harden, were looking dominant in the Playoffs and looked to outmatch the Bucks through the series’ opening games. However, injuries to both Irving and Harden meant Durant was left alone to close out the series and failed to do so, despite an Iron Man performance in a heartbreaking Game 7 loss where he could have won the game if he didn’t have his foot on the 3-point line.
He was incredibly dominant in the 2021 Playoffs, averaging 34.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.
The 2022 Playoffs were troubled for the Nets because Kyrie spent most of the season away from the team due to his refusal to get vaccinated. This prompted Harden to request a trade and be dealt for Ben Simmons, who was a non-factor in the Nets’ winning hopes. Irving joined the team late in the season, but injuries and a lack of rhythm meant they stood no chance in front of Ime Udoka’s Celtics in the first round.
He averaged 26.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in a sweep loss to Boston.
The Suns weren’t ready to compete in the 2023 Playoffs after having a weirdly constructed roster because they acquired Durant in February. They gave the eventual champions their hardest series in the second round, with Durant excelling alongside Devin Booker.
Durant averaged 29.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists through the two rounds of the 2023 Playoffs.
The Suns have a chance to salvage their 2024 Playoff series, with the team not having the egregious problems that Durant was forced to deal with in previous years. It’s time for him to earn it on the court and not get out-dueled by Anthony Edwards in crunch time, otherwise, it may be a bleak offseason for the former MVP.
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