INDIANAPOLIS — Kyrie Irving finally joined the Brooklyn Nets for the first time this season as a part-time player. He can only play in road games because he’s unvaccinated. The state New York is not messing with him. In order to get into venues there you have to be vaccinated. He and the Nets invaded Grainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday night and walked out of a the joint with a 129-121 victory.
The three-headed monster down the stretch turned out to be a bit more than what the Pacers could handle. Kyrie dropped off 22 in his season debut as Kevin Durant lit the building up with 39 points as James Harden contributed a solid 18.
The Pacers gave them everything they had under the circumstances being short-handed. However, the box score wasn’t short-hand. They literally balled out. Shooting 50 percent from the field and 33 percent from behind the arc with 26 assists as a team. Brooklyn just never gave up even after being down by as much as 19 points at one point.
Lance Stevenson, Mr. Born Ready, and always known as the Don Dada on TheJayGravesReport did his thing, He came off the bench and dropped a smooth 30 points in his debut this season at home with the Pacers. We went 4/4 on his first four shots stringing his guitar as the crowd went nuts. He’s always been a fan favorite and hopefully he’ll be extended from the 10-day contract he’s on to a roster spot.
He scored 20 of his 30 in the first quarter!!! That’s NUTS!!! Talk about everyone being on their feet!!! Its was a great atmosphere but the Nets down the stretch was simply too much.
Domantas Sabonis led Indiana with 32 points. Keifer Sykes dropped off a solid 18 points as Myles Turner had 14. Duane Washington Jr. finished with 10.
Even in the loss I liked what I saw from the Pacers. This new line up with Sykes and Washington Jr has in my opinion more energy especially with the Don Dada back. I know that it may be short term but it looks and feels right. I say keep it. What the heck. Up next Utah on Saturday at Grainbridge Fieldhouse.
