Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving had his season debut, as it was reported earlier in the week, in a 121-129 win against the Indiana Pacers where he finished with 22 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.
Kyrie’s first bucket of the season ? pic.twitter.com/W56qCKf4OY
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 6, 2022
However, Lance Stephenson stole the show early in the game with 20 points in the first quarter, the most in any quarter of his career and he became the first Pacer over the last 25 seasons to score 20 points in the first quarter of a game, according to Matt Williams from ESPN.
Lance Stephenson has 20 points off the bench after this first quarter buzzer beater ? pic.twitter.com/jRmrh3v0Te
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) January 6, 2022
Despite Stephenson’s performance and Domantas Sabonis’ 32 points and 12 rebounds in the game, the Nets rally from a 19-point deficit to get the win and improve to a 24-12 record. Kevin Durant was the player of the game with 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists while playing 41 minutes tonight.
Irving later reflected on his season debut in the postgame press conference.
“I’ve had a lot of debuts, but nothing comes close to this one. It meant a little bit more just because, at this stage, being out of the game for eight months and coming back in. There’s so much uncertainty… I went in with an open mindset, ground myself, be present, and do whatever it takes to win.”
The Nets will now travel back to Brooklyn to face the Milwaukee Bucks and we’ll see Irving again on Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers. As for the Pacers, they’ll face the Utah Jazz on Saturday at home.
