NEWSLETTER
One night after Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns set a new franchise record with 60 points against the San Antonio Spurs, Brooklyn’s Kyrie Irving said hold my beer.
The Nets’ point guard torched the Orlando Magic with this own 60 points on a 20-31 performance from the field. He scored 41 of those points over the first two quarters, joining Kobe Bryant, Klay Thompson, and THE Zach LaVine as the only four players to score 39 or more points in the first half over the last 25 years, per AP’s Tim Reynolds. Irving’s efforts hoisted the Nets to a dominant 150-108 victory over the Orlando Magic.
According to the league, this is the first time we’ve seen back-to-back 60 point nights since 1962.
This is the first time NBA players have scored 60 points on back-to-back nights since 1962.
Karl-Anthony Towns: 60 last night
Kyrie Irving: 60 tonight pic.twitter.com/HMBM4oCcXv— NBA (@NBA) March 16, 2022
Kyrie Irving was in Uncle Drew mode tonight becoming only the 32nd NBA player to score 60 points in a game. It was a career-high, Nets franchise record, and tied the NBA season-high with Karl-Anthony Towns. Fans in Orlando chanted “Kyrie” at Amway Center. pic.twitter.com/GoFh6jLfj3
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) March 16, 2022
Irving’s explosive showing is yet another reminder of how dangerous an 8th-seeded Nets team looks to be heading into the playoffs. Drawing them as the No. 1 or No. 2 seed could turn what should normally be one of the easiest first-round draws into by far the toughest.
Although, we should keep in mind that Irving is still only in a position to put up these absurd performances on the road. The 29-year-old remains unvaccinated, and while he has most recently been allowed back into the Barclay’s Center for home games, he is not allowed to suit up or be around the team on game days.
