The Brooklyn Nets made quite a statement to the rest of the basketball world as they defeated the Golden State Warriors 125-99 in the first game of the 2020-21 NBA season on Tuesday night.
The Nets got off to a scorching start with Kyrie Irving tallying 17 first-quarter points and Kevin Durant dropping 10 points in his first five minutes of action after a 561-day layoff from NBA competition.
After the opening 12 minutes, Brooklyn led Steph Curry’s Warriors 40-25 marking the highest-scoring quarter in a season-opener in Nets franchise history.
As basketball fans enjoyed the return of NBA game action for the 2020-21 season, the Nets were the talk of social media as many realized how mighty the offense had the potential to be.
Kevin Durant, returning from a ruptured Achilles injury, looked as smooth as ever with 12 points on 5-11 FG and three rebounds in just under 16 minutes in the first half. Kyrie Irving dazzled with 24 first-half points on an impressive 9-13 FG clip to match as the Nets led 63-45 at the half.
Garbage time got started early as the second half saw more of the same dominance from Brooklyn. Steph Curry led the way for Golden State with 20 points through the first three quarters of play, but the Warriors were outmatched at every turn.
While Kyrie and KD were the headlining acts, the Nets bench squad – one of the best groups in the NBA over the last few years – showed just how strong it can be as the team’s season-opener turned into a Brooklyn blowout.
The Nets bench unit finished their dazzling opening night performance with a combined 54 points, including a remarkable game from Caris LeVert who finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a pair of steals and a block in under 25 minutes off the bench.
Head coach Steve Nash was awarded the game ball after his first-ever managerial victory in the NBA with point guard Kyrie Irving proclaiming, “This is the start of something new right here.”
Brooklyn will be back in action on Christmas Day for a battle against Irving’s former team in the Boston Celtics as the Nets look to keep their momentum rolling following Tuesday night’s emphatic victory.
