No matter how you feel about Kyrie Irving and the decisions that he is making, which are keeping him from being a full-time player with the Brooklyn Nets, there is one thing everyone can admit. He can still score the basketball with ease when he is on the court.
Despite not consistently playing in games, Irving continues to light up the scoreboard whenever he is able to get on the court. He has had some big scoring nights this season, as he is averaging 27.7 points per game.
Without James Harden in the lineup, as he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets have needed Irving to carry even more of the scoring load when he is in the lineup. Things could get even easier when Ben Simmons, who is an elite playmaker, returns to action as Irving will be able to play off the ball more. It could turn into a similar situation that Stephen Curry experiences with Draymond Green in the lineup.
Irving destroyed the Charlotte Hornets last week, pouring in 50 points, going 15-of-19 from the field. He knocked down nine 3-pointers and went 11-of-13 from the foul line. On Tuesday night against the Orlando Magic, he had an even bigger scoring night.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Nets’ Kyrie Irving Reveals Thoughts About Home Ineligibility
Irving poured in an NBA-high tying 60 points against the Magic. The night before, Karl-Anthony Towns had set the season-high mark of 60 against the San Antonio Spurs. It was something Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash was impressed by.
“He’s just incredible,” Nash said. “I felt like he had my career highlight reel in the first 12 minutes of the game. It’s special to watch him every night — but it’s special to watch him on nights like this, where he’s in total control, total command. He gets wherever he wants and is able to finish amongst the trees. It’s just a pleasure to see it up close and to be a part of it.”
Irving got it going early, as he had 41 points at halftime as the Magic had no answers for him defensively. He shot 14-of-19 in the first half, knocking down six of his seven 3-point attempts and sinking all seven free throws.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Nets’ Kyrie Irving Reveals Thoughts About Home Ineligibility
Despite being on the road, Irving’s name was chanted and he was cheered by the people in the crowd who were ready to witness an incredible performance. Kevin Durant said it was something you could see coming as Irving got off to a hot start and never cooled down.
“I’m sure in the first quarter y’all seen it developing,” Durant said. “Sixteen in the first and then midway through the second all of us on the bench are still looking — it’s just like that every game for Ky, when you look up and, like, ‘Damn, he got 10, 12, 14 points already.’
“We seen he was well on his way to a high-scoring night, so 60 — the night after Karl Towns had an incredible performance, and then to have Kyrie do it the next night, the league is in an incredible place right now.”
These kinds of high-scoring outbursts are always impressive. Professional athletes do not like to be embarrassed but when a single player is scoring that frequently, it is hard to not feel some kind of way.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Nets’ Kyrie Irving Reveals Thoughts About Home Ineligibility
Irving was in the zone and heaped praise on everyone else for helping him reach the 60-point plateau.
“Making history, man. making history,” Irving said. “Doing it with that guy is very special. But credit goes to our group. Our guys in our locker room, they really believe in us, they really rock with us, there’s not a doubt in our mind that they really believe that we can do something special. And not just this year, but for years to come. We have a good group. And we’re all sacrificing something that’s bigger than ourselves.”
Irving’s 60-point performance came on the back of Kevin Durant scoring 53-points against the New York Knicks on Sunday afternoon. It is the first time in NBA history that teammates scored 50+ points in back-to-back games.
Will someone make it three straight on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks? Irving will not be eligible to play since the game is at Barclays Center, so expect another big night from Kevin Durant, who will be doing all of the heavy lifting for the offense.
