Watch: Kevin Durant's first bucket as a Phoenix Sun is a layup, fans go into a frenzy - "Add him to the ring of honor"
Kevin Durant debuted for the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday in a 105-91 road win over the Charlotte Hornets. Durant scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting. KD looked aggressive in the bid to secure his first points as a Suns player as he finished at the rim with an off-hand layup.
The Suns' fans had to wait nearly three weeks to see their newest superstar in action. Durant was dealing with an MCL injury to his right knee, which he sustained in his last game for the Brooklyn Nets on January 8th against the Miami Heat. The Suns were cautious with his recovery as they aim to boast a healthy roster entering the postseason.
Nevertheless, it was worth the wait as KD and the Suns put on a show for their fans against the streaking Hornets, who had won their last five games. Suns fans were hyped after Kevin Durant's first bucket for the franchise.
The Suns' Twitter went into a frenzy after the possession as one fan wrote:
"I’ve seen enough, retire his number and add him to the ring of honor"
@Suns I’ve seen enough, retire his number and add him to the ring of honor
Another added:
"I’ve seen enough, hang the banner"
@Suns I’ve seen enough, hang the banner.
Here are some more reactions that followed:
@Suns https://t.co/VLR6FLFomF
@Suns First points as a suns let’s go https://t.co/7NrYdqKZMc
@Suns Yeah, this team is already scary off that one play. Booker in the corner spreading the floor? That’s crazy. Lol.
@Suns https://t.co/SDafRwbV3E
@Suns https://t.co/Z1HzBvwxUG
@Suns W https://t.co/FGxjEgvnZw
@Suns https://t.co/VjtEQJ1IXD
@Suns #NetsWorld says #sunsfans ya going to love #KDmoms repping son always wit all jerseys to , get that dub and that ring @KDTrey5
@Suns https://t.co/HmMyr0h2bl
@Suns https://t.co/sqt17dRMfS
@Suns KD to Booker https://t.co/rV8CgMIHPH
@Suns Who knew we would be cheering for KD
Send my love to your new lover
Treat her better twitter.com/Suns/status/16…
This is gonna take some time to get used to twitter.com/Suns/status/16…
A bit weird to see KD in a new threads midseason but hey, good to see number 35 again. Let's get it, my guy! twitter.com/Suns/status/16…
Kevin Durant lauds Phoenix Suns teammates for making him comfortable in franchise debut
Kevin Durant showed he can adapt to any system and team. Durant looked in great touch and rhythm, especially offensively, despite this being his first game with the Phoenix Suns. It's almost like a first for a superstar of Durant's caliber to switch between contenders midseason.
Wednesday was a small sample, but the Suns look threatening with Durant on the floor. Despite this being his first game in nearly two months, KD looked comfortable, scoring efficiently and producing the goods on defense. Along with the 23 points in 66.7% shooting, he recorded six boards and two blocks in 26 minutes.
The two-time champion credited his teammates for easing the pressure on him in his first game back, saying:
"I was nervous. It's a new team, new group, I wanted to do well. I wanted to play hard for them, be coachable, so I was thinking about all of that today. But once the ball was tipped, my teammates were incredible in making me comfortable."
Kevin Durant's co-stars Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton also had themselves a night. Booker tallied 37 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, shooting 15-of-26. Meanwhile, Ayton had 16 points and 16 rebounds on 7-of-10 attempts.
They have shown encouraging signs of co-existing. The Suns can take home this factor as one of the positives following a stellar win in the trio's first game together.