Nets reaction: Brooklyn loses Kyrie, but takes care of the Bulls

Kyrie Irving exited Brooklyn’s win over the Bulls due to a facial injury.

The Brooklyn Nets came into Chicago after one of their best comeback performances of the season against the Nuggets. The Bulls came into this matchup as a potential playoff opponent for Brooklyn so Chicago’s players were motivated to keep their season alive in this one.

Masked Bruce Brown put on a show in the first half. He went on a riot going for 15 points and 7 rebounds in the first half. Brown also shot 6-for-9 from the field – all fresh off a fractured nose he suffered in practice the day before on Monday.

Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris joined in by putting up 13 points each in the first two periods. Brooklyn as a whole shot 52 percent from the field to lead Chicago 64-51. Their two turnovers also helped them get out to this comfortable lead. The only player in double-digits at this point for the Bulls was Zach LaVine (17 PTS).

The second half was going down the same route until Nikola Vucevic inadvertently elbowed Kyrie Irving (13 PTS, 5 ASTS), which led to him exiting the game because of a facial contusion. Minutes later he was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

Brooklyn took care of business though despite his absence. Eight players finished the game in double figures and Nicolas Claxton (10 PTS, 10 REBS) earned himself his first double-double of his career. The Bulls did make a late surge in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough. Kevin Durant claimed the team-high with 21 points as the Nets took the victory 115-107.