On Sunday, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving struggled against the Boston Celtics, hearing chants rain down proclaiming: “Kyrie sucks, Kyrie sucks.”
Today, Irving became just third player in NBA history to score 50 points in fewer than 20 field goal attempts, reminding the league of just how incredible his talent is – and again proving just how devastating his absence from home games due to his anti-vaccination stance is to Brooklyn’s season.
Irving scored 15 of 19 attempts from the floor (79%), including 9 of 12 three pointers (75%). He added six assists on a statement night. His remarkable 50-point game handed the Nets a 132-121 win over the Charlotte Hornets, snapping a four-game losing streak.
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The Nets came into the night having lost 17 of their past 20 games, but now boast a 33-33 record ahead of a massive clash with ex-teammate James Harden and his Philadelphia 76ers.
Irving downplayed that personal battle, saying: “It makes for good stories. It makes for good narratives. It makes for good build-up for our league. It’s never too personal, but we understand that as competitors, we want to win the game.”
However, Irving is currently eligible to play just five of Brooklyn’s final 16 regular season games due to his inability to play at home over his refusal to be vaccinated.
Teammate Kevin Durant began his press conference by giving his teammate a round of applause – copying the action of Irving after Durant reached the 25,000-point career milestone.
Durant said: “Everything he does is pure … that was just a master class.”
“Younger players should watch this game and learn what it takes to score at that level,” he added.
Durant only scored 14 points – his second lowest tally of the season – as fellow linchpin exploded.
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Coach Steve Nash was overawed by Irving’s performance, saying: “He’s incredible. He’s a career-highlight reel every night. We have a special player on our hands. Overall, he’s an incredible player and shot creator.”
While eight Nets have scored 50 points in an NBA game, Kyrie Irving – with three – is the only man to have done it more than once.
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