Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving hadn’t appeared in a game at Barclays Center since Game 2 of the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals until Sunday’s 119-110 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Much of the focus was placed on Irving’s return to full-time player status in his home debut. He finished with 16 points, two rebounds, and 11 assists in 41 minutes of action.
With the Nets being on a back-to-back following Saturday’s 110-95 win over the Miami Heat, they did not arrive in New York until 3 a.m., as Irving mentioned. Even though he would have liked to have a day off before playing in this game, he is “grateful” just to have even received the chance to play.
“First I was trying to get enough sleep last night. Landing at 3 a.m. and not going to bed until 6, so I was just trying to ground myself as much as possible today and just prepare for the warm reception in front of a lot of supporters of the organization and me, just the journey thus far,” Irving said. “I…