Kyrie Irving returns to the Nets after suspension

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets handles the ball against the Boston Celtics in Game Two of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center on May 25, 2021 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)

Kyrie Irving is back in a Brooklyn Nets uniform. After being suspended, in what turned out to be eight games, for “posting a link to antisemitic work on his Twitter feed” earlier this month, Irving was back in the starting five at the guard position on Sunday. He contributed to the 127-115 Nets win over the Memphis Grizzlies at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Irving scored his 14 points in 26 minutes and two seconds of action. He also had five rebounds, one steal, and one block. Irving made five of 12 field goal attempts, two of five three-point attempts, and two free throws. In 2022-23, Irving is averaging 25.4 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, 4.6 assists per game, 1.3 steals per game, 1.1 blocks per game, a field goal percentage of .487, a three-point percentage of .288, and a free throw percentage of .930. He has played in nine Nets games, where they have a record of three wins and six losses during that time period.

In a complete performance on Sunday, the Nets had seven players who reached double digits in points. Kevin Durant of Washington, District of Columbia had 26 points, Ben Simmons of Melbourne, Australia had 22 points, Yuta Watanabe of Yokohama, Japan had 16 points, Joe Harris of Chelan, Washington had 13 points, Royce O’Neal of Killeen, Texas had 12 points, and Seth Curry of Charlotte, North Carolina had 10 points. Like Simmons, Irving was born in Melbourne, but moved to the United States when he was two years old and represents the United States in international basketball competition.

With the win, the Nets improved to a record of eight wins and nine losses. One area of concern in the last week for Brooklyn has been team defense. They have given up a minimum of 100 points in four straight games, including 153 points in a 153-121 loss to the Sacramento Kings a week ago.

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