Kyrie Irving is one of the NBA’s most skilled scorers, but when he shows his all-around game that elevates his skill set to another level.
Irving led the Brooklyn Nets to a 121-111 overtime win Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, and he made Nets history with his 45-point performance.
According to Justin Kubatko of Stat Muse, Irving became the first Nets player since the franchise merged with the NBA in 1976 to have multiple games of scoring at least 45 points, grabbing at least five rebounds and dishing five assists. Per Kubatko, only Vince Carter, Kenny Anderson, Devin Harris and Deron Williams have posted the stat line at least once.
Kyrie Irving is the only @BrooklynNets player to record multiple games with at least 45 points, five rebounds, and five assists since the team joined the NBA for the 1976-77 season. Kenny Anderson, Vince Carter, Devin Harris, and Deron Williams each had one such game. pic.twitter.com/SVyGrP5V8o
— Justin Kubatko (@jkubatko) January 26, 2020
The other time Irving accomplished the feat this season was opening night, when the Nets lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Irving had an electric debut with his new team, scoring a season-high 50 points, grabbing eight rebounds and totaling seven assists. Irving’s 45 points against the Pistons is his second-highest point total of the season
A six-time All-Star, Irving has played in six games since returning from a right shoulder impingement. Since his return, Irving has averaged 24.8 points per game, 5.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds.
The Nets will play the second game of a back-to-back Sunday in New York against the Knicks.
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