Kyrie Irving Has Huge Night as Nets Down Rockets
NETS 118 – ROCKETS 105
Kyrie Irving has been waiting a long time to have a game at home where he could totally take over. For the first time since the employer vaccine mandate was lifted for athletes and performers in New York City, which allowed Irving to return to the court at Barclays Center, the point guard dominated the proceedings, dropping 42 points, as the Nets stopped the Houston Rockets 118-105.
In fact 17 of those 42-points for Irving came in crunch time in the fourth quarter.
Artistry at its finest 😮💨 @KyrieIrving pic.twitter.com/NBoBX6f7t3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 6, 2022
“When the game starts to get a little out of hand or we have a big lead and let it go, then it’s time to put the foot back on the gas pedal and I have to lead by example,” Irving said.
The win proved to be significant, as the Nets climbed to within a game-and-a-half of the seventh seed, which is currently held by Cleveland. The Nets are right now in a three-way tie with Charlotte and Atlanta for the eighth seed. Capturing the seventh seed is huge, because it would allow that team to have home-court in the play-in game, and the winner of that play-in game would automatically qualify for the playoffs.
Kyrie Irving poured in 42 points in the @BrooklynNets win!
— NBA (@NBA) April 6, 2022
This is Kyrie's 4th game of 40+ points this season
42 PTS | 6 AST | 2 STL | 8 3PM pic.twitter.com/ez2nXqdNVt
The Nets lead 90-84 with 8:50 to go in the game when Irving took over completely. First he hit a 9-foot pull-up jumper to make it 92-84. A minute later he nailed a 26-foot three-pointer to put the Nets up 11. He was then a perfect 3-for-3 at the free throw line after getting fouled by Kenyon Martin Jr. With the Nets now up 14, it was lights out as the kid from West Orange made a huge statement on a big stage.