LeBron James praise Kevin Durant following game-winner

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shoots over Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) during the second half at Footprint Center. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant’s game-winner for Suns had LeBron James heaping praise on his fellow star

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 1/23/24

Monday night's NBA action featured a few performances so incredible that a 43-point night capped off with a ridiculous game-winner from Kevin Durant wasn't even the most noteworthy storyline in the eyes of many.

Joel Embiid had a stellar offensive night, pouring in a franchise-record 70 points for the Philadelphia 76ers in a win, and Karl-Anthony Towns set a Minnesota Timberwolves franchise record for most points in a game with 62 while also breaking the NBA record for most points in a first half with 43. And just to add another level to those performances, the Timberwolves shockingly lost to the Charlotte Hornets despite Towns's incredible showing.

And while it's easy to overlook a clutch game-winner, even when scoring 43 points, Durant's clutch last-second bucket was at a difficulty level that's tough to describe, as it featured a double pump while he was already in the air.

Although most attention was still on Embiid and Towns, fellow NBA star LeBron James was apparently left with his jaw on the floor over Durant's game-winner, sounding off about it on X, formerly known as Twitter.

pic.twitter.com/2BoysmYAiX https://t.co/zcoLzpmRJN
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 23, 2024

James loved the shot from Durant, summing it up perfectly with his description while giving the Suns star his flowers for a monster night.

That’s a TOUGH ASS shot @KDTrey5!!! Double Pump pull up on the move!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 23, 2024

Durant was firing on all cylinders in Phoenix's 115-113 victory over the Chicago Bulls, racking up the aforementioned 43 points while shooting 50% from the field (16-of-32) and knocking down 6-of-15 attempts from beyond the arc. He also tacked on eight assists with six rebounds.

Don't look now, but the Suns have won six games in a row and quickly worked their way up the Western Conference standings. Phoenix now sits tied for the No. 5 spot in the West with the New Orleans Pelicans, three games back of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The new-look Suns have officially distanced themselves from the .500 mark after floating around it for most of the team's first 37 games. But they're now 25-18 and it's a safe bet that no team wants to see the trio of Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal in the playoffs.

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