Let's get this straight: Golden State coach Steve Kerr pulled Kevin Durant from Sunday's Warriors-Pelicans game with four minutes remaining to protect the star. The Warriors had a healthy, 108-85 lead, and there was no way New Orleans was going to come back from the 23-point deficit. Frankly, it was surprising Durant even played that long—the Warriors entered the fourth quarter up 21, and I was surprised Kerr left his stars in for much of the final frame.
When Durant subbed out, however, conspiracy theorists pointed to one stat. He had just hit 38 points, and Golden State is 0-5 this season when he scores 39 or more. Here's a whole Reddit thread of people chiming in on the theory.
Kevin Durant is up to 38 PTS!#DubNation 108 | #DoItBigger 85
4 minutes left on #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/xGFqufTc2j
Weird Stat of the Day 👀
This is why Steve Kerr subbed out @KDTrey5 today right after dropping 38 points against the Pelicans. #DubNation pic.twitter.com/qIkm9lfDTJ
Durant was in the zone from the start of the game. He shot 15 for 27 and added nine rebounds, five assists, and steal, and a block. He has taken advantage of shorter defenders like Jrue Holiday in this series.
Kevin Durant scored 24 points against primary defenders who were shorter than him in Game 4, his most this series. He’s been matched up against shorter defenders throughout the series and taken full advantage. pic.twitter.com/pTM0pko7qW
Durant and Golden State could close out the series at home when the teams square off Tuesday (May 8) at 10:30 p.m. ET.
