It wasn’t the prettiest of wins but it was enough to resonate throughout New York and environs.
Without Kevin Durant, James Harden and Blake Griffin, Kyrie Irving led the shorthanded Nets to the season-series sweep, defeating the crosstown rival Knicks, 114-112, for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The two teams are now even all-time with each franchise tallying 106 wins, including playoffs.
Irving carried the load after Harden went down re-aggravating his right hamstring tightness and didn’t return after four minutes of play. The Nets superstar was remarkable, finishing with 40 points - his 12th 30-point game of the season and second against the Knicks - to go along with two rebounds and seven assists in 37 minutes.