All the chatter from the Brooklyn Nets’ 125-99 win over the Golden State Warriors surrounded Kevin Durant. Understandably so: it was his first regular season game since the 2018-19 NBA season and he was facing his old team. While Durant put together an impressive performance, he was not Brooklyn’s leading scorer on opening night.
That honor belonged to the same player who scored 50 points for the Nets in their 2019-20 season opener: Kyrie Irving. However, with Durant by his side and Caris LeVert providing a punch off the bench, Irving didn’t need to match his scoring output from his Nets debut.
Although, Irving did score 17 points in the opening quarter — the most he’s ever had in an opening quarter as a member of the Nets, surpassing his previous high of 16.
PULL UP THEN KAI đź’¦ pic.twitter.com/ZJ1Jq8flEl
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 23, 2020
Like Durant, Irving logged 25 minutes of action. He scored 26 points on 10-for-16 shooting (4-for-7 from deep) and 2-for-2 shooting at the line.
HEADS-UP HOOPS FROM @CarisLeVert AND @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/My1B1ssBw6
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 23, 2020
Irving also had four rebounds and four assists. He also only turned the ball over once.
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