SAN ANTONIO – Fresh from dominating the 3rd quarter, James HardenEngaged in a constructive confrontation avec his backcourt mate Kyrie IrvingThe following are the Brooklyn Nets‘ bench.
Irving said that James “kinda yelled” at him. Irving said that it wasn’t a negative yell but that he shouted at me, “Kai, get your f-ing ball!” He scored in the third quarter. [12 points]In the quarter. That was something I took very personally. I wanted to be aggressive in the third quarter and play in the flow of offense.
Irving, who was scoreless for the third quarter of the game, responded to his star co-star by scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Nets cruised past the Thunder to win 117-102. San Antonio Spurs. Harden scored 11 points during the final quarter. Nets’ superstar players were only two points shy to matching Spurs’ total.
Harden and Irving played in this fifth game together. Irving is not currently vaccinated against COVID-19 and has been absent most of the season because of New York City ordinances. The Nets have also opted against Irving being used on a part-time basis. Their best performance together, especially in the fourth quarter, was this season.
Harden said, “For sure it was a breakthrough.” He finished with 37 points. Harden also had 10 rebounds and 11 assists. “He can do that at any time and any point of the game.
“That’s why we need him every game, because he can do that, especially when there’s so much going on with the team. He is capable of doing this whenever he wishes. He just wants to get us involved more. But he has a special talent.
Now, the Nets are 18-4 in the two seasons that Irving and Harden have not been playing without an injured MVP candidate Kevin DurantHe is expected to miss at most a month because of a sprained MCL left knee. Harden and Irving combined for at least 60 points in a game without Durant was their sixth occasion. However, this was the first such occasion of the season.
Irving stated that they have a good rhythm, Irving said. “We are able to get out of each others’ way and still expect each other to play at the same level.” “When we play together, whether as a tandem or duo, it creates space for everyone. If we play at an unbelievable pace, like we did in the fourth half, it’s difficult to see how many other teams can keep up.
Brooklyn (29-16), which won, was elevated to the top in the Eastern Conference standings.
Harden provided proof that Harden’s lack of explosiveness early in the season, which he explained to having spent the offseason recovering from a serious strain to his hamstrings, is not an issue. He drove down the lane and dunk over San Antonio center. Jakob PoeltlTo the delight and surprise of Nets teammates, he was one the NBA’s most effective rim protectors.
Harden stated, “I’m definitely returning.” “It’s just been throughout the year, there’s so much going on.” [with]Our team suffered a lot of injuries, whatnot, and Kai was the victim.
“It’s very difficult to get into a rhythm like we all want, but we just have to keep fighting and continue to play one game at a while. We all will make a big run at this thing eventually.