NETS 121 – LAKERS 104
Kyrie Irving posted 26 points, while Patty Mills and Cam Thomas each contributed 21 points off the bench as the Brooklyn Nets swatted the LeBron-less Los Angeles Lakers 121-104 in Brooklyn, Tuesday night. Brooklyn is now 4-6 in games without Kevin Durant as he nurses his way back from an MCL sprain.
“It’s nothing but joy in my eyes when I see them get rewarded for the hard work they’ve put in,” Irving said of Thomas and Mills. “It makes my job a lot easier.”
With the Lakers limping at mid-season, this wasn’t even close as the Nets built a lead of 19 at one point, and shot 47 percent from the floor to the Lakers 39 percent. As for James, he was on the far end of the bench getting a night off. The Lakers play again tonight against the Knicks at the Garden.
The win keeps Brooklyn on pace with the top of the Eastern Conference at 31-19.
"We're the best in the world so we gotta prepare like it."@KyrieIrving on the Nets' preparation after the home victory#CenterCourt pic.twitter.com/TlsH7mhTWa
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 31, 2023
casual lefty floater pic.twitter.com/qAV4R8UmFw
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 31, 2023