Kevin Durant recorded his 17th career regular-season triple-double in a Nets win.

KD’s Big Night and other takeaways (November 10)

• Without co-stars Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant was again in hard-carry mode in the Brooklyn Nets’ 112-85 win over the New York Knicks. KD was only 1-of-5 from three, but he still finished with a triple-double of 29 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. This is Durant’s 17th career regular-season triple-double, and it came just several hours after the Nets named Jacque Vaughn as their new head coach. The defense was again superb for Brooklyn, something worth keeping track of in the next few games.

• Arguably one of the most underrated big men in the league, Brook Lopez was again phenomenal in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 136-132 overtime victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Playing without the services of stars Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jrue Holiday, and Khris Middleton, the Bucks leaned on Lopez (24 points) and backup guard Jevon Carter (career-high 36 points) to tally their 10th win in 11 games. Lopez had five blocks today, bumping his average to 2.7 blocks this season.

• The Thunder lost today but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander again showcased his shot-creating prowess. SGA finished with 39 points, willed himself to the free-throw line (11-of-13 FT), and drilled a step-back triple that almost won the game for OKC. Shai is norming 31.6 points this season, putting his name in MVP conversation this early.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves still haven’t figured out how to play basketball with each other, and their lack of cohesiveness is resulting in more and more losses. They recently lost a 129-117 decision to the Phoenix Suns, their fifth loss in the last six games. The Wolves are not exactly languishing at the bottom of the West (5-7 record), and they still have lots of time to figure things out. Defensive plays like the one below absolutely won’t cut it, though.

• The Memphis Grizzlies might just have the most productive — if not the best — backcourt in the league. In today’s 124-122 OT win over the San Antonio Spurs, the Grizzlies got a huge boost from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, who combined for 64 points (26-of-48 FG), 11 rebounds, 11 assists, and only 5 turnovers. If Morant and Bane maintain this high level of production and efficiency, the Grizzlies should have two representatives in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.

• It was a balanced scoring for the Sacramento Kings in today’s 127-120 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes led in the scoring column, but Malik Monk was equally impressive in the closing minutes. He finished with 14 points and five assists, as he made some really good passes in the clutch, including this nifty find to a Sabonis bucket.