WASHINGTON _ Whenever he held the ball, it seemed inevitable Warriors forward Kevin Durant would complete a highlight reel.
On one play, Durant and Stephen Curry ran a fast-break that finished with Curry throwing a lob and Durant throwing down a one-handed dunk. On another, Durant stole the ball and threw a lob seemingly out of reach only for Warriors forward Draymond Green to reach and convert on the layup. Durant performed two crossovers before pulling up for a vintage 20-foot jumper.
It likely surprises no one that Durant performed this way in the Warriors' 109-101 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Durant (32 points, six rebounds, four assists) usually plays prolifically while showing efficiency from the field (12 of 20), 3-point range (3 of 6) and the free-throw line (5 of 6). Durant's latest performance bore some extra significance, though.
One, Durant performed these feats before 30 students from his hometown of Seat Pleasant, Md. This happened a day after Durant and his Warriors teammates went to the National Museum of African-American History and Culture with 40 other students from Seat Pleasant. He later visited Prince George County after donating $10 million to Prince George's County Public Schools and College Track, an after-school program that helps disadvantaged students attend college with financial and mentorship support.
Two, Durant climbed to 40th place on the NBA's all-time scoring list by surpassing former Warriors guard Mitch Richmond, who has 20,497 career points. Durant's next milestone: he is within striking distance of eclipsing San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol, who currently has 20,622 career points.
Three, Durant played like his usual self nearly a year after having an unpleasant experience in the same venue. On Feb. 28, 2017, Durant hyperextended his left knee after Wizards center Marcin Gortat flung Warriors center Zaza Pachulia, who then tumbled into Durant. He then missed the next 19 regular-season games before returning for the final three.
On Wednesday, there were no such issues.
The Warriors (47-14) only experience a similar problems with holding leads and losing out on hustle categories, such as being outrebounded, 50-36. The Warriors performed just fine against the Wizards (36-25), who competed on the second night of a back-to-back after competing in Milwaukee. One of the primary reasons the Warriors improved to a 12-1 road record against Eastern Conference teams: Durant mirrored his strong season-long play.
After the Wizards cut the Warriors' lead to 97-91 with 2:46 left in the game, Durant answered with a fast-break layup. Moments later, Durant drove to the basket and finished with his left hand for a 103-93 cushion at the 1:34 mark.
"We don't talk about him being an MVP. I don't know why," said Wizards coach Scott Brooks, who coached Durant as both an assistant coach (2007-08) and as a head coach with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2008 to 2015). "There's five guys in the league every year that can be MVP. It's just a matter of which guys you want to vote for."
Meanwhile, Curry added 25 points, while Andre Iguodala had 14 points and Green had 11 points and 11 assists.
Otto Porter Jr. led the Wizards with 29 points and 10 rebounds.
