The Brooklyn Nets fans were in for a treat tonight. After missing over 20 games since February, superstar Kevin Durant returned to action for the Nets. He came off the bench as the Nets thrashed the Pelicans to win their second game in a row.

The game was special for Durant, but not just because he made a return. The KD13 shoes he wore tonight were made in collaboration with his childhood friend, Devonte Young. They met back when they were in 7th-grade in an open gym. After the game, Durant took to Instagram to express his appreciation for his friend and what an honor it was for him to play in those shoes.

“What a F*ckin honor it was to hoop in these…I know what my boy been through so I’m glad we could make this happen!” Durant wrote in the caption.

Young started his own streetwear brand, Enspire, who have worked with Nike to make Durant’s latest shoes. They have released two variants of the shoe, ‘Black Ice’ and ‘Venom Yellow,’ and Durant wore the latter tonight.

Kevin Durant makes a perfect return from injury

Durant missed the whole of the 2019-20 season because of injury. The 2020-21 season hasn’t been very kind either, and he has missed over 30 games already. So entering tonight’s game, he would have been cautious to not aggravate his injury and play without taking risks.

But that wasn’t on Durant’s agenda. He came off the bench and provided a spark within just 19 minutes of playing. He scored 17 points on a perfect 5-5 from the field, 2-2 from three, and 5-5 from the free-throw line.

Durant also had seven rebounds and five assists to complete a phenomenal performance. The Pelicans could do nothing to stop him, as he made a sensational return to action.

The Nets have two easy games coming up against the Lakers and the Timberwolves. But after those two games, they face fellow Eastern Conference giants, the 76ers. That will be a huge game for them, and Durant will be crucial in that game. James Harden is likely to miss the game which further increases the pressure on Durant to perform.

The Nets were already dangerous without Durant, and now that he is back, the league will be worried.

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