Everyone who follows the National Basketball Association by now knows that Melbourne native Kyrie Irving can only play road games for the Brooklyn Nets this season because of his refusal to get vaccinated. On Tuesday, the NBA world saw the greatness Irving can provide to the basketball court when he is allowed to play.
In a 150-108 Nets win over the Orlando Magic from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, Irving scored 60 points, and tied for the most points scored by any player in one game in the NBA this season. In 34 minutes and 56 seconds of action, Irving made 20 of 31 field goals, eight of 12 three pointers, 12 of 13 free throws, and collected six rebounds, four assists, four steals, and one blocked shot.
The only other player to score 60 points in a game this season was Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, who scored 60 points on Monday in a 149-139 Minnesota win over the San Antonio Spurs. It was also the first time since 1962 that there was a 60-point game by a player on two consecutive nights. On February 27, 1962, Chamberlain scored 65 points in a 147-137 Philadelphia Warriors win over the St. Louis Hawks. Then on February 28, 1962, Chamberlain scored 61 points in a 128-119 Philadelphia Warriors win over the Chicago Packers.
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This was the second time this season that Irving reached the 50-point plateau. He also scored 50 points in a 132-121 Brooklyn win over the Charlotte Hornets on March 8.
Irving’s 60 points was also a career-high, and set a Nets franchise record for most points in a game. Irving’s previous high was 57 points while with the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 128-125 win over San Antonio on March 12, 2015. This was also the sixth time in Irving’s career that he has reached the half-century mark in total points for one game.
Meanwhile, Deron Williams had the old record for most points by a Nets player in franchise history. He had 57 points in a 104-101 New Jersey Nets win over the Charlotte Bobcats on March 4, 2012.
Irving and Durant also became the first teammates to score 50 points in two consecutive games according to ESPN. On Sunday, Durant scored 53 points in a 110-107 Brooklyn win over the New York Knicks. Irving and Durant also become the first teammates to have multiple 50-point games in a season since Jerry West and Elgin Baylor both achieved the mark with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1961-62.
With the win, the Nets improved to a record of 36 wins and 33 losses. They have won four straight games and are eighth in the East.
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