Tonight is, as Brian Lewis notes in an astute observation, the anniversary of a tipping point in the NBA and the history of the Brooklyn Nets. Read it and weep.
Exactly two years ago, the Nets were flying high. They had Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, the second-best record in the league and legitimate championship aspirations. No, make that championship expectations.
Then on Jan. 8, 2023 in Miami, Durant limped off the floor — and never came back in a Nets uniform. The next month, he left Brooklyn, and took its title hopes with him.