Kevin Durant has never looked more unstoppable than he does this postseason.
That's saying something for a 10-time All-Star and 2014 NBA MVP, who has averaged 27 points per game in his NBA career.
But in eight playoff games thus far, Durant is averaging 34.3 points. He knocked down a game-high 29 points against the Rockets Tuesday night as the Warriors won 115-109 to take a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference semifinals series.
🚨 Kevin Durant 🚨
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 1, 2019
Now 8th All-Time in #NBAPlayoffs history for made threes. pic.twitter.com/IW465KczFy
As good as Durant looked in that game, he was even better when he scored 38 points in the first half in the series-clinching win against the Clippers Friday night. That's the second-most points ever scored in a half in an NBA playoff game. Although Durant finished that game with 50 points, he almost certainly could have kept scoring almost at will if the game had been close in the second half. Afterward, coach Steve Kerr called Durant the "ultimate weapon, because there's no defense for Kevin."
So what's Durant's secret?
“This is where this s— is fun, this is when it’s serious and I’m just embracing it,” Durant told Yahoo Sports. “I’m just having so much fun right now. This time of year is what I’m geared for.
"I’m just hooping at a high level and enjoying the competitiveness of the playoffs. You go through such a long season to get to this point, and now it’s time to produce.”
Durant's increased production couldn't have come at a better time for the Warriors. Center DeMarcus Cousins tore his left quadriceps in the Clippers series and is likely out for the postseason. Stephen Curry has battled injuries and foul trouble. Klay Thompson has had some great games in the playoffs and some not-so-great games.
Durant, however, has been great every game. He told Yahoo he just enjoys the postseason more.
“The scheming, the matchups, this is when we’re studying our opponents and thoroughly watching film,” Durant said. “During the regular season, you don’t really focus on matchups that much because there are so many games, less time to prepare and we’re mainly worried about ourselves and getting better.
“In the playoffs, we have individual assignments, and it’s up to us collectively to execute. And me, I’m just doing what’s asked of me, whether that’s scoring, making plays for others or defending. I get so much joy playing this game, and I’m doing it to the best of my ability.”
The Rockets host the Warriors in Game 3 Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.