What would Kyrie Irving’s return to Brooklyn bring?
Perhaps fans would respond with anger in response to four years in which the then-Nets guard couldn’t help but be at the center of controversy. Or maybe Brooklynites would applaud the erstwhile star in remembrance of the good times. Either way, Irving’s first game back at Barclays Center seemed destined for theatrics.
In the end, though, the response from the fans and even from the franchise itself was lukewarm. The Nets opted against giving Irving a tribute video, instead showcasing a photo of the 31-year-old guard alongside photos of Markieff Morris and Seth Curry, the two players who were traded with Irving to the Mavericks.
All love for BK 🫶@KyrieIrving // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/latmxCJno2
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 7, 2024
The reception stood as a stark contrast to the fanfare that surrounded Kevin Durant’s return.
The Suns forward strolled into Brooklyn hoping that he would not receive a tribute video, as he believed it would make things weird for both his current and former franchises. Durant left his old stomping grounds thanking the organization for highlighting his contributions on and off the floor, a gesture he deemed “classy,” even if it was not one he initially desired.
Irving, Durant’s teammate for his entire time in Brooklyn, instead got the one-year rental treatment. And although he recognized the Nets faithful even amid a fairly subdued response, both parties seemingly preferred to think of their previous partnership as a relic of the past rather than something to cherish for posterity.
The Brooklyn Nets welcome back Kyrie Irving, Markieff Morris, and Seth Curry.
Here’s Irving’s first time being introduced at Barclays Center since he was a member of the Nets. pic.twitter.com/yZSwxmHkef
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 7, 2024
Irving didn’t appear too bothered, scoring 36 points (including six 3-pointers) in Dallas’ 119-107 win. He even fired home a rim-rattling jam to turn back the clock.
Apparently Kyrie can still dunk pic.twitter.com/QWD95RiKxk
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) February 7, 2024
How many games did Kyrie Irving play with the Nets?
Despite being a Brooklynite for the better part of four seasons, Irving played in just 143 regular-season games with the Nets. That’s an average of 35.75 games per season over the course of his Nets tenure.
Kyrie Irving Nets stats
- 143 games
- 35.7 minutes per game
- 27.1 points per game
- 4.8 rebounds per game
- 5.8 assists per game
