PHILADELPHIA - Kevin Durant had 29 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists, James Harden scored 20 points and the Brooklyn Nets closed with a 16-1 run to beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-109 on Friday night as each team played without a much-discussed star guard.The Nets were missing Kyrie Irving, who isn’t with the team due to his refusal to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
Ben Simmons sat out the home opener for personal reasons and the Sixers do not know when the three-time All-Star will return.They could have used Simmons’ defense to shut down the Nets late.The 76ers tossed up airballs on consecutive possessions early in Brooklyn’s run.