On Tuesday night, Kyrie Irving had one of the top performances of the season for the Brooklyn Nets in their win 132-121 over the Charlotte Hornets.
Irving dropped 50 points on an absurd 15-for-19 from the field, and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line, nine of his field goals came from beyond the three-point line. Not satisfied with just his 50 points, Irving chipped six assists and three rebounds to seal off a double-digit dub.
Kyrie Irving has the most 50 point-games in Nets’ franchise history. No other Net, including Dr. J, had more than one. Historic.
— SLAM Newswire (@SLAMnewswire) March 9, 2022
Following the game, Irving’s teammates told the Associated Press’ Steve Reed and other media just how enamored they were with Irving’s 50-point game.
“That was master class,” Kevin Durant said.
“It was special,” Seth Curry said. “He made great plays all over the floor. He didn’t force it. Catch and shoot, off the dribble, and got to the rim, too. We needed that, Kyrie.”
“We obviously have a special player on our hands, and tonight, he was unbelievably efficient and difficult to defend,” Steve Nash said.
Irving just appeared as if he couldn’t miss all night on Tuesday, hitting tough jumper after jumper to bury any hopes the Hornets had at winning the game.
46 & COUNTING. KAI going off. (via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/ABy26ugP7J
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) March 9, 2022
This was a big win for the Nets, as the Hornets are one of their nearest rivals in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Nets are currently eighth in the east with a 33-33 record, just one game ahead of the Hornets, who are in ninth place, and 2.5 games ahead of the Washington Wizards, who are 11th.
The Nets’ next matchup will be a big one, as they reunite with former teammate James Harden against the Philadelphia 76ers.
That game will be in Philadelphia, and Irving had one word to describe the atmosphere for the matchup following the game against the Hornets.
That matchup will be at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
