Kyrie Irving Drops 30 on Wizards, Nets Squeak By
NETS 119 – WIZARDS 118 Kyrie Irving displayed how important he can be to the Nets, when the unvaccinated star is allowed on the floor that is, as Kevin Durant…
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets goes to the basket against Kyle Kuzma #33 of the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on January 19, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
NETS 119 - WIZARDS 118
Kyrie Irving displayed how important he can be to the Nets, when the unvaccinated star is allowed on the floor that is, as Kevin Durant remains sidelined with a MCL sprain. Irving posted 30-points on 13-of-23 shooting as the Nets squeaked past the Washington Wizards 119-118 in D.C., Wednesday night.
As dominant as Irving was on Wednesday, it didn't excuse the fact that Brooklyn nearly blew a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Nets were up 102-89 after Patty Mills nailed a 16-foot jump shot with 10:33 to go.
However over the next four minutes, Washington would go on 14-2 run with Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, and Spencer Dinwiddie all hitting key free throw shots.
Irving responded to the challenge with a driving layup to end the Washington run, and Kessler Edwards hit a three for Brooklyn to put the Nets back in front by six, 109-103. James Harden added a layup of his own at 4:58 to make it 111-103.
Still, Washington would not go away. A jumper by Kuzma and a Montrezl Harrell slam dunk cut the Nets lead back down to two-points with 3:19 to go.
LaMarcus Aldridge answered with back-to-back jump shots to give the Nets a 117-111 lead, before Washington stormed back again. The tug-of-war went all the way to the final seconds when Kuzma nailed a three-pointer with 36.6 seconds to go that shaved the Nets lead down to a single point, 119-118.
After Irving and Harden had their respective shots go awry, both Kuzma and former Net, Spencer Dinwiddie missed potential game winning three-pointers in the waning seconds as the Nets held on.
