ICYMI: Rapper DaBaby cuts a happy figure as Kyrie Irving provides him with the jersey he scored his 50-piece in against Charlotte Hornets
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets put on a show at Spectrum Center to beat the Charlotte Hornets 132-121 on Tuesday night.
Irving, who’s only available for Brooklyn in road games, put in a sizzling performance right from the opening tip. The superstar point guard finished with 50 points on 79% shooting to help end the Nets’ four-game losing streak.
With the Brooklyn Nets desperately needing a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, Irving played his best game of the season.
The Hornets had no answer for him, as the seven-time All-Star reminded the NBA of what he’s capable of at any given time. “Uncle Drew’s” jaw-dropping performance earned him the applause and appreciation of the hostile crowd in the end.
With the game over, Kyrie Irving went courtside to dap popular American rapper DaBaby and gave him his game-worn jersey.
DaBaby moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, a few years back. He is originally from Cleveland, where Irving spent six seasons with the Cavaliers.
The rapper is one of Kyrie Irving’s good friends who often takes time out to watch the superstar play. Fortunately for both of them, they found the perfect time to meet up on Irving’s historic night.
The 29-year-old’s performance made him the first player in NBA history to score 50 points with nine 3-pointers on 75% of field-goal attempts.
The Brooklyn Nets started on fire, courtesy of Irving’s mind-numbing basketball masterclass. His torrid shooting carried the Nets to a 34-20 lead after the first quarter and 69-43 by halftime. Charlotte fought back and made the game closer in the second half. However, they had no way of stopping Irving.
Charlotte, who is fast on Brooklyn’s heels in the mad scramble for the playoffs, got a timely reminder of how skillful the seven-time All-Star is.
The Brooklyn Nets will need Kyrie Irving to be at his best for the regular-season stretch run
The Brooklyn Nets have only 16 games remaining on their schedule, including a home game Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks. And unless New York City changes its COVID-19 vaccine mandates before April 10, Kyrie Irving will play in just five of those 15 games.
Despite playing only 31.3% of the remaining games, the Nets will need performances like this from Irving to avoid taxing Kevin Durant and to get much-needed wins.
With the way things are going, the Brooklyn Nets need every win they can get. Any slipup in the last few weeks could cost them the unthinkable – a place in the play-in tournament.
The Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks, who are in 11th and 12th place, respectively, can still catch up to the Nets.
The Brooklyn Nets are 4-16 in their last 20 games and are fast-tracking their chemistry after the James Harden-Ben Simmons trade. The Nets hold a 33-33 record ahead of Wednesday night's game with the Atlanta Hawks.
Simmons’ return date is still uncertain, which makes Durant the lone superstar when the Brooklyn Nets play at Barclays Center.
Whenever he is available to play, Irving has to be at his best or else the Nets could be one of the biggest disappointments this season.