The Nets defeated the Hornets 132-121. (1:45)
Irving went off for a season-high 50 points in the Nets' win over the Hornets.
Irving went 15-for-19 from the field, 9-for-12 from beyond the trey, and 11-for-13 from the free throw line in the first quarter. The Nets had lost 17 of their past 20 and came into the night having lost star forward Kevin Durant.
Irving's offensive brilliance was on full display as he hit an array of shots from all over the floor as his teammates continued to look for him and help him get looks. In 37 minutes of play, Irving had six assists and two rebound. Irving got a standing ovation from the Charlotte crowd after scoring one more floater that brought his total to 50.
The performance by Irving comes a couple days after he struggled through an 8-for-18 performance during a loss to the Boston Celtics and turned the ball over three times.
With a 33-33 record, the Nets are now a game ahead of the Hornets for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference and will play James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Irving will not be able to play again until March 15 because of the New York City vaccine mandate. The Nets play the Knicks in Madison Square Garden.
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