Kevin Durant entered Sunday's game against the Detroit Pistons as an MVP candidate and as the NBA's scoring leader, dropping 28.4 points per game. But in a road game without the resting James Harden, KD erupted for the most points any player has scored this season with 51 markers. The Brooklyn Nets superstar was locked in and they got another important victory, 116-104.

Durant actually broke the arena record at Little Caesars, previously held by his teammate Blake Griffin who had 50 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018.

After the game, KD spoke about his explosion.

“We were missing James and we were missing Paul Millsap, so I felt like I had to pick up the scoring load a little bit more,” said Durant via YES Network ‘s Michael Grady. “And this team, Detroit, were playing back in the pick-and-roll, they wasn't doubling as often as other teams.”

Was he aware of how close he was to 50?

“Of course.”

Durant's career-high is 54 points, which he scored against his former team Golden State Warriors in 2014. Nets coach Steve Nash yanked Durant against the Pistons as soon as he cracked 51. With just over one minute remaining in the game, and the Nets leading by 16, they didn't need to prove any point. Had it been closer, maybe the former MVP would have had the chance to top 54 markers.

According to Nets PR, this was the eighth time Durant hit 50 or more points in his illustrious career.

“Kevin was incredible,” said Nash. “Not an easy night. (Detroit) played extremely hard. Tons of energy and we were playing different lineups. For him to be able to score 51 with nine assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, a steal, I mean unbelievable.”

Durant had five fouls with a large chunk of time remaining. Was there any thought about resting him so he didn't foul out?

“There was thought,” said Nash. “We would love to get him out we'd love to get him some rest before he got his fifth foul. We debated it but he had it going, he had the look in his eyes that he wasn't gonna want to come out so we tried to ride him there and kinda beg that we didn't get that last foul.”

“I felt like we turned it over a lot between that second and third quarter,” added Durant. “So I just tried to keep the ball in our hands, take a shot every time down, cause I was turning it over too, and I was able to make some.”

Maybe the Nets should turn it over more next game. That way, KD will determine to get a shot up every time down again.

Did he feel any added responsibility without Harden in the lineup?

“Nah, nah. I just feel like we got enough scoring, I feel like defensively we come out and set the game plan, played physical and the offense will take care of itself.”

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Like KD referenced, the Nets' defense was locked in.

The Nets held the Pistons to just 13 points in the fourth quarter. To recall, they recently held the Dallas Mavericks to 13 and the Atlanta Hawks to 14 in the final frame. Stalwart D in the fourth period is becoming a trend for this team.

Nets guard Patty Mills talked about how much effort and dedication Durant puts in around the clock to make an explosion like we witnessed possible.

“It's really special to see how he goes about his business off the court,” said Mills. “Not a lot of people have the opportunity to see what goes into something like that. They see the result and the result is unbelievable but I think for me it's special to see what happens behind the curtains and behind closed doors which makes it even more special. An unreal game.”

If Durant has the scoring title set in his sights, a 51-point explosion won't do much to slow him down.