There was a roar at Barclays Center. Kevin Durant, for one rare occasion on Sunday, had nothing to do.
Kyrie Irving walked through the crowd to get a seat across from the Nets bench. It was an unusual sight for his first home match this season.
Durant stated that he glanced at Andre Drummond, his teammate, on the foul line, and they smiled.
Durant stated, “Yo, this is unreal,” describing their exchange. “
Then, he gave Irving a sensational performance.
Durant had 53 points for the season, which was tied with the New York Knicks’ tiebreaking 3-pointer. Brooklyn won 110-107.
Durant’s 3 pointer broke a tie at 103 with 56 seconds left. He made four more free throws for the Nets to stay ahead.
Durant had nine assists, six rebounds and six steals in his 60th career 40 point performance.
Bruce Brown, Bruce Brown’s teammate, said that “that man is insane.” “
Irving enjoyed a beautiful view but was unable to travel to New York. Irving is not vaccinated.
The star guard took a seat in one of the stands to see his college team lose, Duke. Durant walked with him toward the Nets locker area after the game.
Durant spent the remainder of his interview after the game calling for Eric Adams, New York City Mayor, to change the mandate. He called it “ridiculous that unvaccinated persons could be in the arena and not play in it.”
Drummond scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to help the Nets win their third straight. Brown scored fifteen points.
Julius Randle had 26 points, while Evan Fournier had 25, for the Knicks. RJ Barrett scored 24.
Durant scored 16 in the first quarter. Brooklyn led for much of the game, but the Knicks rallied and took a 103-101 lead. But Durant’s dunk tied the score before Durant ran out to the wing and hit his fourth 3-pointer. Durant finished 19 of 37 from behind the arc.
Barrett stated, “He’s one the greatest to do it. So it is tough when he gets too hot.” “
Irving emerged from the tunnel to reach his seats at the end of the first half. As he passed, he exchanged hugs with his seatmate and sat down maskless.
TIP-INS
Knicks – Obi Toppin, who missed five games due to a strained left leg, scored eight points. Coach Tom Thibodeau did not update Derrick Rose on the status of Derrick Rose. Derrick Rose had surgery to treat a skin infection in his right ankle.
Nets: Seth Curry, originally in the starting line-up, was later scratched due to left ankle soreness.
WAITING ON IRVING
Coach Steve Nash stated that it’s not harder for the Nets without Irving than it was when all mandates were in force. This is because they haven’t allowed themselves to believe they’re closer to Irving.
“We’ve been disappointed by this process many times in a certain sense,” Nash stated. “
SIMMONS STATUS
Nash stated that Ben Simmons will continue to strengthen and rehab his back this week to help him get more mobility. It’s not clear when he’ll be able to practice fully or play again.
UP NEXT
Knicks: Portland hosts on Wednesday.
Nets: Visit Orlando on Tuesday.
