Durant’s winning 3 fulfills dream
ATLANTA – Kevin Durant always dreamed of hitting a game-winning 3-pointer. In an NBA career just 10 games old, the rookie now has one.
“This is what I live for,” Durant said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Durant made a buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the second overtime, and Damien Wilkins scored a career-high 41 points in the Seattle SuperSonics’ 126-123 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
With rookie Al Horford guarding him at the top of the key, Durant pumped once to get the defender in the air before shooting over his outstretched arm.
“Al Horford was right on it, but I faded away, and fortunately it went in,” Durant said. “I’m starting to get used to playing every other night or so, and I’m gaining confidence with my game.”
Durant, a forward who was the No. 2 overall draft pick, finished with 21 points to help Seattle win a second straight following a team-record eight-game losing streak to start the season.
Joe Johnson had a season-high 39 points for the Hawks, who have lost three of four.
Atlanta’s Josh Childress missed the first of two free throws at the end of regulation, but made the second to force overtime. The third-year guard had made his first 24 free throws.
“We had our chances in regulation and overtime,” Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. “We missed free throws, we had a botched play on a defensive assignment where we gave up a 3 in the corner. It’s doing the little things when you’re talking about winning a close game like this.”
Seattle’s biggest lead was 14 early in the third quarter, but the Hawks came back several times in a game that had 15 lead changes and was tied 20 times.
Atlanta’s last lead came on Marvin Williams’ basket on the first possession of the second overtime, making it 116-114.
Wilkins hit a 16-footer on the right baseline with father Gerald Wilkins and uncle Dominique Wilkins watching a few feet away.
“Playing in front of family certainly made it special for me,” Wilkins said. “The most important thing is that we got the win.”