Fourteen seasons into his NBA career, Nets forward Kevin Durant has a resumé unlike any other: two championships, four scoring titles, a Rookie of the Year award, an MVP trophy and the fourth-highest scoring average in league history.
In 1,085 regular-season and playoff games combined, Durant had never scored 55 points or hit eight threes in a game. He did both Saturday.
Veteran Hawks forward Danilo Gallinari, himself a month older than Durant, entered his post-game press conference, put his drink on the table, and released the fast groan of a middle-aged person descending into a chair.