On January 6, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA regular season is in full swing. In a focus battle today, the Nets challenged the Pacers on the road. After 48 minutes of fierce competition, the Nets finally defeated the Pacers, ending a three-game losing streak.
In today's game, Irving is undoubtedly the biggest protagonist on the field. Due to injuries in the playoffs last season and a suspension for refusing to vaccinate early in the season, Irving has not appeared in the NBA for 207 consecutive days. Irving played a total of 32 minutes today, 9 of 17 shooting, including 2 of 0 three-pointers, 4 of 4 free throws, a total of 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 1 block, plus-minus +16 high on the team's second place, in the key final quarter showdown, Irving scored 10 points.
In the first quarter, Irving did not feel very good, his first shot was deflected out of the basket, and in the next round, Irving's pass was destroyed by the Pacers. He then received Harden's pass, turned around and broke through to the basket and threw it, but was blocked by pacers Turner! Throughout the first quarter, Irving had 0 points, 0 rebounds and 1 assist on 0-of-3 shooting.
After entering the second quarter, Irving regained his sense of play, receiving a pass from his teammate on the flank, breaking into the interior line and stopping a mid-range back-up jumper to score his first point of the season. Irving then grabbed a defensive rebound to play a conversion, completed a dragon layup hit, he scored 8 consecutive points, and the Pacers asked for a timeout. Throughout The Second Quarter, Irving had eight points, two rebounds and three assists.
In the third quarter, Irving reduced his playing time, hitting a long two-pointer and a basket shot, and also delivering a cover on the defensive end, and before the end of the third quarter, Irving received a pass from his teammate and hit a two-point long whistle.
In the final quarter, Irving once again played the role of Mr. Key, hitting two signature mid-range shots in a row to help the team lead by five points. In the last two minutes of the game, the whole team pulled away for Irving, Irving completed a layup hit, helping the team lead to 9 points, and then Pacers coach Carlisle ate a technical foul, Irving hit a technical foul penalty, and the Nets led by 10 points to completely lock in the victory!
As his return debut, Irving's overall performance today is still very good. Before the game, Nets coach Nash said: "Hopefully, Irving can play today in a free way, and it will determine his playing time based on how much Irving feels." "But judging from Irving's overall performance today, although it has been a long time, Irving's recovery is still very good.
It is worth mentioning that since early today, Irving has been high on Twitter hot search, ranking 4th in the United States at one point, which is enough to see his popularity.
According to the schedule, the Nets will play the next two games at home, and their next away game will be played on November 11, and their opponent is the Blazers, when Irving will play again.