Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant was rested against his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday but the Nets were inspired to a 147-125 win by James Harden in his absence.
Nets coach Steve Nash said he was protecting Durant, the league’s No. 2 scorer.
Brooklyn made the move work as the team shot 57% from the field and scored a season-high point total. Nine Brooklyn players scored in double figures.
James Harden landed his third triple-double in eight games since being traded from Houston while Kyrie Irving added 25 points.
Nets coach Steve Nash said Durant has had a heavy workload lately and needed to rest. Durant played 42 minutes in a win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
The injury report lists Durant’s reason for sitting as his continued recovery from the surgery on his right Achilles tendon that caused him to miss last season.
Atlanta Hawks 116-100 Washington Wizards
Trae Young helped visiting Atlanta Hawks hold on for a fifth win in their past seven games, stalling a Washington rally with his fourth 3-pointer of the game, and even added a fifth shortly thereafter.
Young went for 41 points in a head-to-head with NBA scoring leader Bradley Beal, who finished with 26 points, propelling the Hawks to their fifth win in their last seven games.
Russell Westbrook also managed 26 points for the Wizards.
Friday night’s NBA results
- Indiana Pacers 105-108 Charlotte Hornets
- Atlanta Hawks 116-100 Washington Wizards
- Milwaukee Bucks 126-131 New Orleans Pelicans
- Cleveland Cavaliers 81-102 New York Knicks
- Sacramento Kings 126-124 Toronto Raptors
- Philadelphia 76ers 118-94 Minnesota Timberwolves
- Brooklyn Nets 147-125 Oklahoma City Thunder
- Los Angeles Clippers 116-90 Orlando Magic
- Denver Nuggets 109-119 San Antonio Spurs
- Dallas Mavericks 101-120 Utah Jazz
Harden is king, King James.