Brooklyn Nets lose James Harden but win against New York Knicks courtesy to Kyrie Irving


Brooklyn Nets lose James Harden but win against New York Knicks courtesy to Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving stepped up for the Brooklyn Nets by scoring game-high 40 points, leading his team past New York Knicks. In the game that saw James Harden going off only after the first minutes, Jeff Green struck 2 clutch free throws to ensure Nets beat Knicks 114-112. Harden returned after a 2-gaem absence due to right hamstring tightness and had to leave early because of the same reason. 

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The New York Knicks scored five straight to tie it at 112 on Alec Burks’ 3-pointer and forced the ball out of Irving’s hands. Joe Harris missed a jumper, but Green got the rebound and was fouled. After his free throws, Julius Randle missed a jumper as time expired. 

James Harden goes off early for Brooklyn Nets as Kyrie Irving drops 40 to lead past New York Knicks 

Talking about the Brooklyn Nets first, Green scored 23 points and Joe Harris added 16 for the Nets, who won their eighth straight at home. While Julius Randle had 19 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in his fourth triple-double of the season. RJ Barrett scored 22 points and Reggie Bullock added 21, but the Knicks couldn’t hold a 14-point lead just before halftime. 

“Well, I thought we had some costly turnovers that hurt us and the offensive rebounding hurt us,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said as per ESPN. “So I thought we played a very good first half, the start of the third was good, we didn’t close out the third well and then we fought at the end to have a shot at it.” 

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“He’s just an amazing basketball player and he found a way to keep our team in it for big stretches,” Nets coach Steve Nash spoke about Kyrie Irving, “and a lot of guys played really well when he was out, gave us a lift and then he was able to come in and close. So, brilliant performance and really gutsy from everybody.”

Also Read: Chicago Bulls end 6 game losing streak after beating Brooklyn Nets