Brooklyn Nets are slowly finding their footing after the All-Star break, as they rallied past the Milwaukee Bucks (126-123) thanks to Kyrie Irving’s best game of the season.
That was the first win for the Nets since the break, as Brooklyn bounced back from a blowout defeat at the hands of the Boston Celtics. That mark Irving’s first visit to Milwaukee since he sprained his ankle of Game 4 of last season’s East semifinals.
Kyrie exploded for 38 points, five assists and five rebounds for a season high performance. He scored more than 27 points in Brooklyn’s last four games. That was only the 15th game of the season for Irving.
Kyrie Irving 🤝 Getting Buckets Kyrie Irving was scoring from all over the court, dropping 38 points to lift the @BrooklynNets to victory! 38 PTS (14-26 FGM) | 5 REB | 5 AST | 2 STL pic.twitter.com/Qlv5SwlA2m — NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2022
The 10-year veteran is averaging 25.1 points on 45/36/91 shooting splits. He also adds 5.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 36.4 minutes per game.
His 38-point performance Saturday helped Brooklyn snap a Brooklyn’s two-game skid and win for just the third time in 16 games.
Brooklyn continues playing without Kevin Durant, who hasn’t participated in a game since Jan.15 due to injury. Nash said that Durant won’t be available for the Nets’ two games.
At the same time, Ben Simmons experienced back soreness through his rehabilitation training, but, Nash claimed there is no setback in the process.
Kyrie admitted it was strange for him to return to the court that he was injured last season to compete against the Bucks.
“I haven’t been back in the building since then. I try my best not to wear my emotions on my face or on my shoulders, but sometimes they can get the best of me,” Irving told reporters after the game.
The Nets lost to the Bucks in the previous two games of the regular season. They will face them again on Apr. 1 hoping to tie the series going to the postseason.
Irving is hoping to see New York City lifting vaccine mandates in the next few weeks, so he can participate at home games.
”Just remaining patient and just seeing where things end up in this next week or so or next two weeks,” Irving said. ”I’m not too sure. I know as much as you do.”
Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
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