INDIANAPOLIS -- Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving scored 22 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals in 32 minutes during his season debut in a 129-121 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Irving started the game and received some cheers and a few boos during pregame introductions. He looked a little rusty in nine first-quarter minutes, going 0-for-3 from the field with two turnovers, but he showed flashes of his old form as the game progressed, including several key baskets down the stretch. He finished the game with a +16 plus/minus
Irving, who is not vaccinated for COVID-19, returned to the floor Wednesday after the Nets reversed course last month and decided to allow him to rejoin the team as a part-time player.