Kevin Durant tantalizes New York fans as Warriors rout Knicks

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  • Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures during final minutes of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Warriors won 128-100. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer) Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press

    Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures during final minutes of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Warriors won 128-100. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer) less
    Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures during final minutes of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The … more


    Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press


Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures during final minutes of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Warriors won 128-100. (AP Photo / Mary Altaffer) less
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures during final minutes of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The … more



Photo: Mary Altaffer, Associated Press


NEW YORK – Earlier this week, a massive billboard featuring Kevin Durant and Kristaps Porzingis in the road Knicks jerseys appeared near Madison Square Garden with seven words: "Can you make NY sports great again?"

It was a local marketing company's way of trying to recruit Durant, who will become a free agent in July, to the Big Apple. Because while Friday night might have been the Warriors 'only game at Madison Square Garden this season, it was also Knicks fans' only chance to pitch.


What they got was a reminder of why they are so Durant took the lead when it mattered most, scoring 25 of his game-high 41 points in the fourth quarter to lead Golden State to a 128-100 win over the Knicks.

With a mix of soft runners, three-pointers and fade-away midrange jumpers, he made sure the Warriors needed a six-point deficit early in the fourth. Midway through the period, after 20-footer to the Warriors up 106-96, audible cheer emanated from the crowd.


It was a full-blown roar several minutes later, after Durant's second-pointer in a 29-second span. With its two-time MVP Finals shepherding the way, Golden State showcased its dominance, outscoring New York 47-16 in the final quarter for a 28-point margin of victory that overshadowed the Knicks' peskiness.

As Porzingis (left knee), Kevin Knox (sprained left ankle), Courtney Lee (neck spasms) and Emmanuel Mudiay (sprained right ankle) watched from the bench, New York closed the second quarter on a 17-4 run to enter halftime with the game tied. The problem for the Knicks is that with Porzingis sidelined, they do not have a transcendent talent to lean on when the game is on the line. The Warriors have several.

It was Durant, who has fielded numerous issues in recent months about the possibility of bolting for New York next summer, who answered the call Friday. In addition to scoring 41 points on only 24 shots, in the rebounds and five assists.

Now, Knicks fans have eight months to ruminate on that masterpiece and hope that's going to take place in the Bay Area for a shot at a historic franchise back to greatness. It's not a mere fantasy.


During his close friend and manager, Rich Kleiman, is a New Yorker who hopes to run the Knicks someday, and Durant's father, Wayne Pratt, has long been a fan of the franchise. It also does not hurt that David Fizdale has a new voice.

In New York, Durant would have been a superstar in Porzingis, who got his "Unicorn" nickname from Durant. And the Knicks are seemingly willing to free up capa space to offer Durant a max contract.


Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected]. Twitter: @Con_Chron


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