Brooklyn Nets' Kevin Durant scores 53 points, tells New York City mayor to 'figure out' vaccine policy

NEW YORK — Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant has been so dominant for so long that he admits he feels «at ease» on the floor.

It certainly didn't look difficult in Sunday's 110-107 win over the New York Knicks as Durant dropped 53 points, made 9 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds while carrying the Nets to their third straight victory.

«You feel kind of at ease knowing that you can affect so many different plays and different areas of the game with my skill set,» Durant said. «I can affect my teammates and how they approach the game with my skill set about the big picture and seeing — I know I work on my game and I got to this point as an individual player, but I'm at a point in my career it's like 'All right, how can I impact everybody out here? How can I make the other coaches think about their game plan?'

»So I feel like I up the level of everybody out on the floor and that's a good feeling to have."

Durant's brilliant performance offered another reminder as to why the Nets, now 35-33, still have championship aspirations this season despite the fact that Kyrie Irving's status remains in question because of New York City's vaccination mandate and it remains unclear when Ben Simmons will make his season debut because of ongoing back issues.

Irving was a hot topic during and after Sunday's game. For the first time all season, the star point guard was able to enter Barclays Center — but only as a fan. With about four minutes left in the first half, Irving, along with a small group of friends and family, walked out of the visiting team's tunnel and made his way to a courtside seat.

Irving received some cheers on his way to his seat, while a few fans started chanting his name and «Free Kyrie!» It was an odd scene in a