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MINNEAPOLIS – The present in Minnesota went on, the day after uncooked emotion from a deadly police shooting of a neighborhood Black man was too sturdy to play. Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets made fast work of the Timberwolves, even when focus was tougher to return by than typical.Durant scored 31 factors on 11-for-15 shooting in his best efficiency in 2 1/2 months, because the Brooklyn Nets blew out the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-97 on Tuesday afternoon.“I felt like my wind and legs are getting up underneath me, every minute I’m enjoying,” stated Durant, who missed 23 video games with a strained hamstring till returning final week.The game was rescheduled from the earlier night time, out of sensitivity to the group following the traffic-stop loss of life of 20-year-old Daunte Wright. Players from each groups wore black warmup shirts that learn, “With liberty and justice for all,” with the final two phrases in all-caps for additional emphasis, and a second of silence was held earlier than tip-off.Ad“All we are able to do is be right here for one another bodily, emotionally attempt to comprehend what guys are going by means of,” Timberwolves guard D’Angelo Russell stated, including: “I encourage everyone to go on the market and do what you possibly can bodily do to make issues higher, not simply discuss it.”Anthony Edwards had 27 factors and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves, who performed with out Karl-Anthony Towns on the one-year anniversary of his mom’s loss of life from COVID-19 problems. Towns selected to sit down out and spend the time together with his household.Joe Harris pitched in 23 factors for the Nets, who had 31 assists on 46 made baskets. Missing James Harden (strained hamstring), Kyrie Irving (private causes) and LaMarcus Aldridge (non-COVID-19 sickness), the Nets have been in command from the soar and forward by 23 factors earlier than the midpoint of the second quarter. They constructed their lead as huge as 45 factors early in the fourth quarter.AdWith Harden, Irving and Aldridge all out, Nash put Chris Chiozza and Nicolas Claxton in the beginning lineup for the primary time, the seventeenth and 18th totally different gamers to look in the primary 5 for the Nets in simply 54 video games this season. They have used 32 totally different combos.“I’m actually pleased with the blokes. We’ve had lots thrown at us this yr,” coach Steve Nash stated.Durant performed 27 minutes and had his highest factors complete since Jan. 31.“We’re looking for that steadiness, and not less than he had game and received some minutes on his legs,” Nash stated.NEXT TESTThe Nets would favor to not play Durant in back-to-back video games, so the postponement will drive them to decide on his standing for Wednesday in opposition to Eastern Conference co-leader Philadelphia. Pursuing the No. 1 seed for the playoffs won’t be as vital as retaining their star ahead contemporary.“I need to play simply to get again in the swing of issues, extra so than pinpointing that matchup. We need to get everyone wholesome and acclimated to what we’re doing on the market, and I feel that’s simply as vital somewhat than circling the calendar,” Durant stated.AdHarden will not be able to play the Sixers. Nash had no replace on Irving’s standing.JUST A GAMESeveral Timberwolves gamers have been outspoken on problems with racial justice over the previous yr, with the loss of life of George Floyd actually hitting near dwelling — about three miles from Target Center. The trial of Derek Chauvin, the Minneapolis police officer whose knee was pressed on Floyd’s neck for greater than 9 minutes, has been happening about eight blocks from the world.“I can’t think about what it’s prefer to be African American, to be an African American father or mother,” Nash stated. “It’s unacceptable, and it’s devastating to place your self in their footwear.”Said Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie: “When nothing modifications and the identical factor occurs, that’s I feel for me probably the most troublesome half.”HEAVY HEARTSThe Timberwolves have additionally carried the burden of the lack of considered one of their greatest followers, Jackie Cruz-Towns, the mom of their star heart who died at age 58 final yr. She fought COVID-19 for greater than a month.AdEMPTY ARENA, AGAINWith the day-of rescheduling and the afternoon tipoff, the game was performed with the gates closed. The Timberwolves have had solely two dwelling video games in entrance of followers, with a 3,000-person capability allowance that began on April 5 as a part of the state’s leisure of some COVID-19 restrictions.TIP-INSNets: Chiozza harm his proper hand in the primary half and didn’t return. He had 4 factors and 5 assists in 14 minutes. … DeAndre Jordan, who was a wholesome scratch the previous 5 video games, had 13 factors and 7 rebounds.Timberwolves: Russell scored 15 factors in 20 minutes in opposition to his former group. … Naz Reid began for the 14th time this season in place of Towns. He had two factors in 16 minutes.UP NEXTNets: Visit Philadelphia on Wednesday. They break up the primary two video games in opposition to the Sixers.Timberwolves: Host Milwaukee on Wednesday and end the homestand on Friday in opposition to Miami.Ad___More AP NBA protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This materials will not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.