The Nets defeated the Magic as Irving scored 41 of his 60 points in the first half. (2:13)
Irving scored a career-high 60 points and the Nets beat the Magic 150-108. His teammates and coaches were left in awe by his performance.
Nets coach Steve Nash said that he felt like he had a career highlight reel in the first 12 minutes of the game. It is special to watch him every night, but it is even more special to watch him when he is in total control. He is able to finish wherever he wants. It is a pleasure to be a part of it.
In the first half of his career night, Irving put together one of the most impressive offensive halves of basketball in recent NBA history, scoring 41 points.
Irving went 14-for-19 from the field, 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, and 7-for-7 from the free throw line in 23 first-half minutes. By the end of the first half, the crowd was cheering every time Irving hit a shot, a trend that gained even more energy throughout the game.
All of us on the bench are still looking at it in the first and second quarters.
The league is in an incredible place right now, as evidenced by the fact that he was well on his way to a high- scoring night, and then to have him do it the next night, after Karl Towns had an incredible performance.
After hitting his final 3-pointer of the night to reach 60 points, Irving pointed to the ceiling and tapped his heart as the Magic fans gave him a standing ovation. I'm happy about it.
Irving got a hug from Nash and high-fives and hugs from the rest of his teammates and coaches as he waved his arms in an effort to get the fans even louder after he made the shot with 8:32 left in the game.
Irving said he was glad it wasn't an empty 50-plus game.
Irving set multiple records in the first half, shooting 20 for 31 from the field, 8 for 12 from beyond the arc, and 12 for 13 from the free throw line. It was the highest scoring half of his career and the highest scoring half of any player this season.
The last player to score as many as Irving in a half was Booker, who scored 51 points in the second half of a March 24, 2017, game against the Boston Celtics. Booker scored 70 points in that game.
Irving scored 41 points in the first half, which was the most by a player against the Magic in franchise history, and his 60 points in the game was the most ever by a player against the Magic. The 86 first-half points by the Nets are a franchise record, and the most the Magic have ever given up in a half.
Irving, who is currently able to play in only road games because of New York City's vaccination mandate, entered Tuesday averaging 30.3 points in three March contests, including a 50-point performance in a March 8 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
The first teammates in NBA history to score 50 or more points in back-to-back games were Irving and KD.
Irving said that he was making history. The credit goes to our group. Our guys in the locker room really believe in us, they really rock with us, and there is no doubt in our minds that we can do something special. For years to come, not just this year. There is a good group. We are all sacrificing something bigger than ourselves.
Irving will only be able to play in three of the Nets final 13 games because of the mandate. He is hopeful that the mandate will be rolled back.
Irving said that his faith in things turning around hasn't wavered, but that he wouldn't be able to talk to you comfortably unless he had a big supporting group. They have been so kind this whole time.
Irving joked that he would probably wear a media pass to the game against the Mavericks, but he was actually in attendance.
Irving said it was a little awkwardness, but he got a warm embrace from New York, Brooklyn and everyone who supported the Nets. Support what is happening out here and want to see a change.
Irving was on the bench for a couple minutes in the first half while getting his hand checked. He had a small cut on his thumb but stayed in the game after getting his thumb wrapped.
In the second half, Irving received even more cheers from the crowd, drawing oohs and aahs in anticipation of each move to the basket.
After an air-ball in the third quarter, many in the crowd rose to their feet and started chanting his name in appreciation of what they had seen throughout the night. He knew his night was different.
Irving said that it was probably the air-ball. I don't usually shoot these types of shots, but I will get in my Kobe bag and live with the results. I looked over at the coaching staff and they told me to keep playing.
When a kid is scoring a bunch of points, it means something, but when they are playing in the best league in the world, it means a lot more.
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