Not every team has their championship aspirations answered in the NBA playoffs. And for the Brooklyn Nets, they were in the worst position possible. Despite having Kevin Durant and Kyrie, the Boston Celtics exposed the Nets. While Durant is generally a man for the spotlight, with a must-win game on his hands, the Slim Reaper couldn’t keep things together. And NBA Twitter was loud about it.
Coming into Game 4, the Nets were down 3-0 in the series. The Celtics chowed down on them all series long as they shut down the Nets completely. Moreover, they became the first team to complete a sweep in these playoffs as they took care of Durant and his men. Celtics unleashed all their weapons as it got too heavy for Durant’s shoulders.
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When the pressure was right on him, Durant couldn’t capitalize on important free throws which could have changed the narrative of the game.
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Kevin Durant messes it up for the Nets?
Being down 3-0, the Nets needed to be at their best. They weren’t a team with the best news as reports of Ben Simmons missing the game ran in. Hence, it was down to the two leading offensive players to take the Nets over the line. After a tough series, Durant had his first good game. However, he couldn’t score from the easiest spot in the clutch which shifted the momentum in the Celtics’ favor who scored on the other end.
With Durant missing a crucial free throw, NBA Twitter had their fingers working. They stripped him of the title of the best player in the NBA and he got swept in the first round of the playoffs.
I JUST KNOW THIS AINT THE “Best” PLAYER IN THE WORLD GETTING SWEPT AND CHOKING AT THE LINE https://t.co/sdfxH22DbT
— CAMMY CAM (@CamNicholasXCII) April 26, 2022
He’s not clutch 😂 https://t.co/y6JSTVOtMr
— Eli🇯🇲 (@_KingEli5) April 26, 2022
KD misses the free throw? Jogs back , then doesn’t fight for the board. 😮💨 https://t.co/rspGZ7RsLJ
— T HewGo (@HewGoDolph) April 26, 2022
last year he wore too big of shoes, this year he missed a free throw after going 10/10 😂😂😂 what a choke artist https://t.co/lUKDX4DE3x
— Camborghini 🦍📈🐂 (@camborghini8) April 26, 2022
Is this considered choking? Or is that only for GOAT James https://t.co/BJQbXj5qVq
— Elle Banks 💎 (@TalkSports_Elle) April 26, 2022
KD is a fraud, KD WAS NEVER the best player on the planet FOH. Curry will forever own that bum https://t.co/wSbjTxm26R pic.twitter.com/XsfFeMB3HI
— TylenolGood4U (@Pistol_Pete_ATL) April 26, 2022
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Durant had one of his toughest playoff series as the Celtics didn’t let him breathe. However, the hounding did not pay off this time around. He went off for 39 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists. Former Celtic Kyrie Irving also had a decent game with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists to his name. Moreover, Seth Curry’s shooting supremacy nearly came in handy as he posted 23 points and hit 5 threes. But this effort did not see much come out as they lost the game 116-112.
Following the story of this series, the combined offense of the Celtics weighed too much on the Nets. Jayson Tatum emerged as a star once again as he compiled 29 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists. Both Smart and Jaylen Brown assisted him as they crossed the 20-point threshold. The Defensive Player of The Year added 20 points and 11 assists to the mix. On the other hand, Brown capped off his impressive series with a 22 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists performance.
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The Celtics became the first time in these playoffs to complete a sweep and for rid of a serious competitor to the throne. Clearly, something special is brewing in Boston, and now they have time to rest and observe. Do you think the Celtics can make it to the NBA finals? Let us know in the comments below.