Nets Implosion Complete, Swept by Celtics
CELTICS 116 – NETS 112; Boston Wins Series 4-0
A frustrating season for the Brooklyn Nets ended in a whimper last night, 116-112 to the Boston Celtics as the season came to a conclusion in a four-game sweep. A Nets team built around All Star’s Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving saw its second consecutive playoff exit after much ballyhooed expectations.
Durant led the Nets with 39 points, but was only 13-of-31 shooting and 3-of-11 from downtown. Irving remained in a proverbial slump, shooting 6-of-13 for 20 points on the evening.
Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum — once again — was on point for Boston, leading the Cetics with 29 points. In the four games vs. Brooklyn, Tatum avearaged 29.5 points per game.
Brooklyn trailed by 12-points entering the fourth quarter, before turning it on late. Irving hit a huge three-pointer with 2:31 to go that cut the Celtics lead down to three-points, 109-106, while Durant came back with a jump shot about a minute later to make it a one-point game, 109-108 with less than two minutes remaining.
He's just a tough shot-maker 🪣 pic.twitter.com/RwQFkzhjsd
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) April 26, 2022
Unfortunately for Brooklyn, the Celtics were a little better down the stretch. Jaylen Brown hit a long two-pointer to push Boston back in front 111-108. The Celtics would also cash in on three-of-four free throw attempt. The Nets struggled to regain any momentum with Durant missing a huge three pointer with 10.9 seconds to go and the score 113-109.
I cannot believe Kevin Durant's Brooklyn Nets just got swept.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 26, 2022
it’s been 1029 days since KD & Kyrie signed with the Brooklyn Nets and they have won 1 playoff series total.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 26, 2022
The loss ends a wild and bizarre season for the Nets, who entered the year as a favorite out of the Eastern Conference. First there was Kyrie Irving’s refusal to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which kept him on the sidelines for more than half the season. At one point Irving was only allowed to play in road games. Finally in April, New York City Mayor Eric Adams lifted the vaccine and mask requirement for athletes and performers, which allowed Irving to play games at Barclays center.
In the midst of that controversy, Kevin Durant missed six weeks to a knee injury, and — now former Net — James Harden complained about his role in Brooklyn and demanded a trade. He got his wish as he was traded to Philadelphia. The Nets in return got Ben Simmons who never played a single game for the Nets since the trade was made.
Ben Simmons has officially completed the biggest heist in NBA history. He really sat out an entire season! Carry on…
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 24, 2022
As the off-season begins, there will be questions about whether the Nets consider blowing up this experiment. Irving is a free agent, but Durant is under contract for four more seasons. There will also be questions whether head coach Steve Nash will remain in his role, or if the Nets look for a head coach who can handle the number of star personalities Brooklyn has on its roster.
