Kevin Durant leads Kyrie Irving-less Nets past Knicks with 53 points

The Brooklyn Nets didn't have Kyrie Irving for a Sunday game against the New York Knicks, but Kevin Durant was all they needed as he dropped 53 points to lead the Nets to a 110-107 win.

Durant, 33, made 19 of his 37 shots and finished with nine assists, six rebounds and two steals.

Unlike previous Nets home games, Irving was on the sideline without a mask as restrictions for unvaccinated individuals were relaxed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. However, he's still currently ineligible to play, leaving Durant to do most of the work alone Sunday.

The Knicks were led by the trio of Julius Randle, Evan Fournier and R.J. Barrett who combined for 75 points. While New York led 103-101 late in the fourth quarter, the Nets took back the lead with just under a minute left with a Durant three-pointer and never gave it back.