This was supposed to be a night of celebration.
At long last, Kyrie Irving was able to make his home debut after being disbarred from participating in all of Brooklyn’s home games due to the COVID-19 vaccine private-sector mandate. The Nets themselves were about as healthy as they had been all season, with just Ben Simmons and Joe Harris missing the game due to injury.
This should’ve been the big night. A statement victory in front of a record 18,166-person attendance. A sign of the times to come.
Until it wasn’t.
Brooklyn entered the night as the 8-seed at 39-35, leading the 9-seeded Hornets by a game in standings.