Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving dazzles in loss to Utah

In a loss to the Utah Jazz, Kyrie Irving compiled up another stellar performance, as he poured in 32 points along with 11 assists.

Kyrie Irving, the quintessential scoring guard in the NBA, followed up his 21-point game performance with a sensational 32 point 11 assist game in a loss to Utah. His 30-point double-double will be overlooked as a result of Brooklyn’s 118-107 loss to the Jazz, however, it still speaks volumes to Irving’s conditioning and mental state after missing 26 games with a shoulder injury.

It feels like a breath of fresh air getting the perennial star guard back on the court. You can feel the excitement wavering throughout the arena, as fans gaze at Irving’s multidimensional offensive repertoire.

In two games, Kyrie Irving is shooting 22-for-30 overall. The 27-year-old guard has picked up right where he left off earlier in the season.

Kyrie Irving on his health after two games: “I feel good. Being out gave time to slow down, get healthy and put an emphasis on my body. Early in the season, I had 3 broken bones in my face and I got hit again in China. I think that’s what attributed to my shoulder impingement, trying to make up for lost time.”

First, I’m giving high praise to the Utah Jazz. They’ve won 10 straight games and 15 of their last 16, resulting in a 28-12 record, good for second in the competitive Western Conference. They’re the hottest team in the league as of late and proved to be a formidable opponent against the Nets Tuesday night.

Joe Ingles was surgical, nailing six threes, finishing with 27 points of 10-of-14 shooting, while Donovan Mitchell added 25 points and providing clutch buckets down the stretch.

Now, in the loss, Irving displayed his scoring prowess and playmaking abilities as he nearly wielded the Nets back from a 20-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.

If not for a horrendous three minute stretch before halftime, in which Utah went on a 14-2 run, this game could’ve came down to the wire. A lineup with Spencer Dinwiddie—17 points on the night—as the lone playmaker closed the second quarter, which ultimately led to the Nets demise. Kenny Atkinson has to develop new rotations now that Irving and LeVert have returned from their injuries.

In other words, a lineup that features the trio of guards playing all at once.

Nonetheless, Irving’s play has been promising throughout his first two games back and he expects to play in a back-to-back against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.

The Brooklyn Nets face a tough task in their next four games going against the Philadelphia 76ers twice, Milwaukee Bucks, and Los Angeles Lakers.

Kyrie Irving is accepting this challenge head on: “I love it. As a competitor, you want to have these tests… It’s really about making your mark and setting the standards you want heading into All-Star break. I look that far ahead as games we’ve got to get.”

This will be a great test for Irving and the Brooklyn Nets to overcome next week, but if Kyrie’s recent play is of any example, then I’ll give them as good of chance as any, as their chemistry will begin to flourish more frequently.

It’ll be fun to watch his play continue to coincide with the roster, after all the time that he missed, and come into fruition throughout the remaining 2019-2020 season.