Kyrie Irving made a statement off the court on Sunday and on the court on Tuesday.
The Brooklyn Nets point guard went off on the Orlando Magic, dropping a career-high 60 points, including 41 in the first half — the most by any player in a half all season — en route to a 150-108 Nets victory, their fourth straight.
The mark also set a Nets franchise record, besting Deron Williams’ 58 points 10 seasons ago.
The polarizing point guard missed just five shooting attempts in the first half, including going 6-for-7 from beyond the arc. He made his eighth three-pointer of the night to reach 60.
At one point in the second half, the crowd in Orlando even began chanting “Kyrie” and later “we want Kyrie” when he left the game in the fourth.
WFAN’s Keith McPherson and others, including Karl-Anthony Towns — who scored 60 on Monday for the Timberwolves — reacted to Irving’s performance on social media:
Irving’s performance happens to come as he still remains barred from playing in home games at the Barclays Center due to New York City’s vaccine mandate for the private sector.
Mandates for the public, including restaurants and entertainment venues, have been lifted, which allowed Irving to purchase courtside seats and watch Sunday’s game against the Knicks from the stands.
His arrival caused quite the stir and the Nets were later fined $50,000 by the NBA for allowing him in the locker room.
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Irving’s performance on Tuesday was a reminder of just how crucial he will be if the Nets want to make a deep playoff run this spring.
The NBA regular season concludes on April 10, and it remains unclear if there will be any changes or exemptions in New York City’s rules on vaccines.
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