Kevin Durant Spoils Tracy McGrady's 26 Point Debut

Old legs or not, Tracy McGrady did everything possible to carry the new-look New York Knicks in the debut for his new team, but Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant ruined T-Mac’s return to the NBA as the Thunder won in overtime, 121-118.

The former Longhorn Durant drained a three-pointer with six seconds remaining in regulation, helping to lift the Thunder to a three-point OT victory with 36 points, five rebounds, and three assists.

“We knew there was going to be a lot of energy in the building with Tracy McGrady coming in,” Durant told ESPN following Saturday’s victory for the Thunder. “He played phenomenal. He’s back. He played well, but I’ll take the win.”

T-Mac, meanwhile, garnered 26 points, five assists, and four rebounds in a losing effort.

“He kind of ran out of gas towards the end,” Knicks' head coach Mike D’Antoni said. “Not having played all year, a couple of years almost, 26 points, kind of not bad.”

So what did McGrady think of his overall performance in a New York uniform?

“I didn’t expect to play the way I did,” McGrady said. “I expected to move the way I was out there, but as far as being efficient offensively, playing that many minutes, no.”

New York and McGrady return to the hardwood on Monday when they host the Milwaukee Bucks.

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]