Despite the Golden State Warriors winning the first three games of the series, the absence of Stephen Curry has started to show cracks in their armor. On the surface, the scoreboard says otherwise—but tonight’s game proved that relying solely on Kevin Durant isn’t a sustainable strategy, especially as the competition stiffens. In the first three quarters, Rudy Gay managed to trouble Durant to some extent. But come the fourth quarter, the “Slim Reaper” sharpened his scythe. Durant turned up the heat and dragged the game back within two points. Yet, in crunch time, it was only Durant stepping up for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs benefitted from a well-rounded team effort. Aldridge, Ginobili, Green, and Anderson all played their part. Although the Warriors still lead the series 3-1 and are favorites to move on, this game was a wake-up call. If they advance to face the Pelicans, or perhaps an even stronger opponent, relying solely on Durant during uphill battles won’t be enough. His usage rate already tells the story—during the regular season, Durant held a 30.4% usage rate, which has now risen to 32.7% in the playoffs due to Curry’s absence. Opponents are shifting their defensive schemes to focus entirely on him.

Curry’s injury has not only shifted scoring responsibilities but also forced Durant into the role of a playmaker. Throughout tonight’s game, Durant could be seen bringing the ball up from the backcourt, acting as both scorer and facilitator. It’s the kind of game where Durant might not dazzle you with flashy one-on-one moves, yet somehow ends up with 25 or 30 points before you even realize it. After the third quarter, he had quietly notched 25 points. The Spurs, fighting to stay alive, played with incredible energy and even led by double digits at one point. Without Durant, the game might have been decided much earlier.

In the first half, Durant was actively running pick-and-rolls and creating opportunities for teammates. But when the gap began to widen in the third quarter, he took matters into his own hands. Across the first three games of the series, Durant averaged 27.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists in 35 minutes per game, shooting an impressive 52.8% from the field. If there’s one area where Durant hasn’t shined, it’s his three-point shooting—only 26.3% across the series. Yet even with that stat, defenses can’t afford to relax, as he can erupt at any moment. In tonight’s first quarter alone, he hit two of his four three-point attempts.

When Durant’s outside shot starts falling, he becomes nearly unguardable. However, his two-point efficiency tonight took a dip, hitting just one of four attempts. By halftime, Durant led the team with 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting—down from his usual standards. In the third quarter, he responded with 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting, singlehandedly keeping the Warriors in the fight. That’s the kind of quiet power only a true star can deliver.

Games like these show why Live Cricket BPL fans often draw parallels between cricket’s lone match-winners and basketball icons like Durant. When a single player carries the team on his shoulders, the drama mirrors that of a nail-biting Live Cricket BPL finish. As the Warriors head deeper into the playoffs, fans watching Live Cricket BPL can only hope Durant finds more support—or this solo act might not last much longer.