Orlando, March 16 (BUS): Kyrie Irving scored a career-high 60 points, most in Nets history in the NBA, to lead Brooklyn to a 150-108 win over the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.
Irving’s 20 shot for 31, including 8 of 12 three-pointers, in 35 minutes. He made 12 of 13 free throws in the NBA’s most-scoring game of the season, performed just one night before by Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota against San Antonio, The Associated Press reports.
Irving scored 41 points in the first half, the most in the first two quarters since Kobe Bryant scored 42 against Washington on March 28, 2003.
The goalkeeper left the game after hitting a 3 point lead with 8:33 remaining and Brooklyn leading 128-94. The Nets delivered a 50-point run, after Kevin Durant scored 53 on Sunday against the New York Knicks.
Durant added 19 points in the Nets’ fourth straight win.
Cole Anthony scored 19 points and seven assists for Orlando.
Playing only in his 19th game of the season because he is ineligible to play home games due to New York City requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, Irving reached the 50-point mark by spinning the cup with 5:02 left in the third quarter.
It is the sixth 50-point game in his NBA career and the 16th 50-point game in the league this season, including games for Irving, Durant, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Jason Tatum of Boston.
He went on to surpass the Deron Williams Nets record of 57 points.
Irving scored 50 points last Tuesday in a 132-121 win over Charlotte. His previous career high was 57 points for Cleveland in San Antonio on March 3, 2015.
Irving had 16 points and made three assists in the first quarter from 48 points for the Nets, shooting 74% (20 to 27) including 5 of 6 in 3 seconds.
The Nets led 86-56 after Irving scored 41 points in the first half. He was 14 for 19, including six three-pointers.
Hints
Nets: Brooklyn hits 16 to 27 from a 3-point range. . . . J. Cam Thomas (bruise in the back) did not play, and J. Seth Curry (left ankle) missed the second game in a row. Coach Steve Nash said both players may be available Wednesday night against Dallas. …the Nets have won three of four against the Magic this season. Neither Durant nor Irving played in the loss.
Magic: G Jalen Suggs hasn’t played for the third time in five games after he again injured his right ankle Sunday night. … The Magic has announced that F Jonathan Isaac will not play this season, marking the second consecutive season that Isaac has been completely absent since he tore his left ACL on August 2, 2020.
next one
Nets: Play at home on Wednesday night against Dallas.
Magic: Play at home Thursday night against Detroit.