NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves at Brooklyn Nets
NEW YORK (77 WABC) – With the seconds ticking away and the Brooklyn Nets trailing by one in overtime, Kyrie Irving went for one more big play in his debut with his new team.
Face to face with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie, Irving attempted to drive towards the net, but lost his footing. Irving managed to roll over – regaining possession of the ball in the process – and got back up for one last-ditch effort at a shot.
The miraculous thing, the shot nearly went in.
It would have been a fitting ending to a stellar debut performance out of Irving in the Nets 127-126 loss to the Timberwolves.
“I fell. I was in the process of making another move and just lost my footing,” Irving said about the last play. “Somehow I got it back and just got my elbow pointed at the rim. I had a better chance of making it.”
Kyrie Irving dropped 50 in his Nets debut, but couldn’t get the buzzer beater to go that would’ve given the Nets the win.pic.twitter.com/pVXBkImXOH
— SNY (@SNYtv) October 24, 2019
The near late-game heroics notwithstanding, Irvings Nets debut couldnt have gone any better for the guard. Irving broke an NBA and team record with his 50-point debut performance, which included eight rebounds and seven assists, 7-of-14 from three and turning the ball over zero times.
The new Nets superstar’s 50-point night was a new team record for points scored in a season opener and surpassed the league record for most points scored for a play in a debut with any team. Irving became just the seventh Net in franchise history to score 50 or more points in a game.
“The job wasn’t done,” Irving said about the 50-point outing. “It holds value, but not really when you don’t get a win.”
Irving alone had 25 of the Nets 56 first-half points and his step-back three with a little over a minute left in the game briefly gave Brooklyn a 115-112 lead.
“He was outstanding. Obviously a great debut from him,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Just disappointed we made such a big hole for us. The first half we were completely out of sync. The second half we did a little better, got in sync.
“We definitely saw the effects of guys not playing together. Weve got to figure out our rotations.”
The difference was noticeable when Irving was on the court and when he wasnt Wednesday night at Barclays Center. When Irving checked out after nine minutes of work to start the game the Nets were only down 20-19.
When he returned with 8:18 left in the first half they had allowed the Timberwolves to go on a 25-9 run and eventually ended the second quarter down 68-56.
The Nets managed to work their way back into the game in the third quarter as the excitement ratcheted up.
“I think we started out slow,” Jarret Allen said. “If you asked anybody were all going to say we started out slow and then in the second half, in the beginning of, we started to pick it up.”
Irving added: “Still a new development group for us. (We) missed some assignments tonight. Gave up 33 and 35 (points) in the first and second quarter respectively.”
Even with the loss, the night will likely be remembered for the show that Irving put on for the sold-out crowd at Barclays Center. One that began even before the two sides tipped off.
After player introductions, Irving took to center court to deliver a message to fans. As he did so, the 27-year-old began to get emotional.
“Im eternally grateful to be here, be back home in front of you guys and my teammates,” he said. “On behalf of us… oh man, Im sorry, its just hitting me right now.”
Irving grew up in West Orange, New Jersey and the New Jersey Nets were what inspired him to make it to the NBA in the first place. So, it was easy to understand why the moment got the better of Irving.
“I wasnt trying to get too emotional or anything like that,” Irving said after the game. “But, (Im) just a Jersey kid playing for his home team. Its nothing like it. This has been brewing since I was in fourth grade. I didnt know it was going to happen at this point or this age, but its here and I want to take full advantage of it.
“Just be happy and have a sense of gratitude every time I step on the floor and wear that Nets uniform.”
