Kyrie Irving had quite a special night last night for the Brooklyn Nets in their all-important win over the Hornets in Charlotte.
The Nets guard put up 50 points, went 9-12 from three-point range, and shot 78 percent from the field.
Kyrie has made the most of his time on the court this NBA season.
He has been limited to playing in just road games due to him not being vaccinated and New York City’s mandate requiring people to be vaccinated, which has since been lifted, but hasn’t cleared Irving to play in Brooklyn.
Irving’s teammate, Kevin Durant, was most impressed by his performance and sang his praises during his postgame interview.
Kevin Durant on Kyrie’s 50-point performance: "I've been saying it – it's pure. Everything he does is pure.”
(h/t @SNYNets) pic.twitter.com/xX3LjhTJNO
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 9, 2022
High Praise
This is some pretty high praise from one of the best players in NBA history, especially considering all of the talented stars Durant has played with during his career.
From Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Durant has seen it all, and to be so complimentary of Irving after having played with other stars is really saying something and speaks to the ability of Irving.
Irving is in fact the first player in NBA history to hit nine three-pointers in a game while scoring 50 points and shooting at least 75 percent from the field, something not even Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or LeBron James has accomplished.
Kyrie is in rare company and stands alone in that camp.
To be the first player in NBA history to have such a game is an impressive feat in its own right, but to earn such high praise from Durant is another, and shows how important Kyrie is to the Nets, and that he truly is indispensable.
NEXT: Kyrie Irving Proved Why The Nets Need Him On A Full-Time Basis