CHARLOTTE, North Carolina. It was written on Kyrie Irving’s face, a clear look on his face. The Nets had a mandatory game and he did a masterclass.
Irving led Brooklyn to a much-needed 132-121 victory, doing so with such an impressive performance that not only Nets fans, but some Hornets fans among the 17,230 fans at the Spectrum Center applauded.
The All-Star guard scored a season-high 50 points. He helped Brooklyn score 34 points, and he did it with such efficiency that it looked easy.
“It felt like a win,” Irving said. “And I’m not saying other nights didn’t feel that way, but you just have to go into that deep place where you’re not distracted by anything that’s going on, and when you get out there’s a purpose. there. I just become less talkative and I get a look on my face that I will do whatever it takes for us to win this victory, join the collective group and just sacrifice ourselves.”
His teammates could see that look, and they knew it meant trouble—for Charlotte. After Irving played below his standards in Sunday’s loss to Boston, Celtics fans chanted “Kyrie sucks!” and booing his every touch – he came back brilliantly, breaking Brooklyn’s four-game skid.
Kyrie Irving scored 50 points in the Nets’ victory over the Hornets on Tuesday night. Getty Images
It was impressive enough that even Kevin Durant, who had 14 points, could only applaud in appreciation.
“Everything he does is pure. It looked so easy,” Durant said. “I [saw] it’s in his eyes to start the game. You know that he wanted to play better in the last game, so he came here and wanted to influence the game from the very beginning. He led us all night, he hit when we needed to. And it was just incredible, incredible performance. … It was just a master class.”
Irving threw 15 out of 19 overall and 9 out of 12 from deep, historic efficiency.
He ranks second in the fewest shots in a game with 50 points behind Adrian Dantley’s 17 in 1980. The only men who made it bigger? Wilt Chamberlain (eight) and Michael Jordan (three).
“He’s incredible. Every evening it’s a video about a career. Obviously, we have a special player in our hands,” said Steve Nash.
“As professionals in this game, we have to respond to a lot of positions.” Irving said. “Obviously I didn’t play my best game in Boston. I was quoted the other day saying that I was very emotional and every time I step in there, it’s just what it is. I am human. We just wanted to start a new life.
Kyrie Irving hits the basket during the Nets’ victory over the Hornets on Tuesday.Getty Images
“I wasn’t trying to go in there and get 50, it just happened and the energy and flow of the game allowed it to happen. It contributes to some special team victories.”
This one will be special because it was vital for positioning.
Brooklyn finished eighth in the East, a game ahead of the Hornets and Hawks.
Andre Drummond had a season-high 20 points and 14 rebounds, with Brooklyn leading by a whopping 34.
At the beginning of the season, the Nets looked as united as at any other point in the season. They finished second in scoring for the season, handed out 33 assists (two fewer than the season) and shot 18 of 35 from deep.
This is their best result from behind the arc since Joe Harris was injured.
The Nets led 69–43 after the first half, in which they held the Hornets to 3 of 17 of 3.
Bruce Brown (14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) went 79-45 with 9:52 left in Game 3. The Nets then removed the gas pedal.
Miles Bridges and Terry Rozier each had 30 goals for the Hornets, who never got close to the last break.
“We know we’re fighting for our lives in every game to try and make the playoffs, to stay in the game,” Durant said. “We know how important every game is, so it’s good to get a W. ”