Amid both curiosity and controversy, Nets point guard Kyrie Irving made his return to the court following an eight game suspension for sharing links to a film that contained anti-Semitic information.

Irving plays 26 minutes and scored 14 points in his return, a game the Nets won 127-115. Kevin Durant led the way with 26 points and seven boards on 9-of-16 shooting, as the Nets won their second straight to improve to 8-9 on the season. Ben Simmons also had a monster night, hitting on 11-of-13 shots for 22 points, easily one of his best nights as a Net. Yuta Watanabe also had a major impact posting 16 points in 25 minutes off the bench.

In fact, it was Irving’s three-pointer with 10:17 to go in the third quarter that sparked Brooklyn’s comeback. After Kevin Durant hit a jumper and connected on a free-throw to put Brooklyn up 68-67, Irving nailed a layup to put the Nets up 70-67.

While Memphis would get close to retaking the lead on a number of occasions, Brooklyn would not trail again the rest of the night.

As for the controversy swirling around his suspension, Irving had apologized in a statement via Instagram following his suspension. In speaking with SNY’s Ian Begley, Irving again apologized for sharing the tweets.

• Kyrie Irving Defends himself Again

  Kyrie Irving talks about growing up in a "racial harmonious environment" in New Jersey:
  
  "If you know anything about West Orange, New Jersey, I don't think I could grow up as an antisemite in that environment because of how much alliance that we feel to one another" pic.twitter.com/8Weo9OMj0N

  — Nets Videos (@SNYNets) November 20, 2022

• Protest Group Outside Barclays Prior to Nets game

  Before the Nets took on the Grizzlies members of the Black Hebrew Israelites were seen outside Barclays Center demonstrating in support of Kyrie Irving. According to CBS Sports, members of the group were handing out flyers with “radical … propaganda.”

  Black Hebrew Israelites are outside Barclays Center singing ahead of Kyrie Irving’s return from suspension tonight pic.twitter.com/Gay3YkcRnN

  — Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) November 20, 2022

• Kyrie Fields Wild Questions About Demonstrators

  Things are getting pretty bizarre around the Kyrie Irving situation, so much so he fielded questions about a “hate group” that was outside the Barclays Center during the Nets game. Irving tried to sidestep the question.

  A reporter informs Kyrie Irving of the events outside Barclays Center. pic.twitter.com/WUqkMrhY6H

  — Hoop God (@TheeHoopGod) November 21, 2022

• Meanwhile, the Knicks Fell to Phoenix

  In other NBA action, the Knicks fell to Phoenix 116-95 with Jaylen Brunson leading the way with 27 points.  All five starters for the Suns had double-figures in the blowout victory. The loss drops the Knicks to 8-9 on the season.

  BULLY BALL 💪🏾 @J30_RANDLE pic.twitter.com/mxc5pMlRdc

  — NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 20, 2022

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