On Saturday, Mariano Rivera, who may have earned the greatest ovation of the evening, stood in the Barclays Center crowd while a different type of New York closer took over.
When the Nets, playing without Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons due to injury, needed a late-game weapon, there was only one guy they could turn to: the NBA’s most prolific fourth-quarter scorer.
Kyrie Irving came off the bench during a third-quarter break to play the entirety of the fourth quarter, scoring 21 of his 32 points to help the Nets seize control of a close game and defeat the Knicks, 122-115.
“I believe he leads the league in fourth-quarter scoring,” said Nic Claxton of Irving, who currently has 356 fourth-quarter points, or 9.2 per game. “[We know that Irving will appear] every single time in the fourth quarter. It’s big.”
Irving sat out the last 3:16 of the third quarter, during which the Nets’ 18-point advantage was cut to seven.
Irving, who had regularly completed the extra pass during the first three quarters, assumed command of the attack in the fourth. After attempting 12 shots in the first three quarters combined, he went 8-for-15 from the field and put down dagger after dagger, including two 3-pointers in the final 90 seconds that halted Knicks runs.
When asked to define Irving’s genius, head coach Jacque Vaughn replied, “understanding as the game progresses what the team needs and what shot is necessary.” “Whether it’s a two, a drive, or a drive-and-kick……” I believe he is in an excellent position to recognize what is needed, and he is meeting that need.”
In the final two minutes, when the daggers were thrown, the Nets’ lead was only four points. Irving scored nine points in the final 1 minute and 19 seconds, basically ending the game with those two three-pointers.
Irving utilized his pivot foot to generate separation from Quentin Grimes before rising and sinking the shot on the first attempt. With 50.7 seconds remaining, the Nets milked the time on their next possession before Irving sank his fifth three-pointer of the night to extend their advantage to 117-109.
RJ Barrett stated, “I don’t really know what you’re supposed to do.” “I mean, Quentin played excellent defense. It is Kyrie Irving, gentleman.”
Irving, who moved between New Jersey and New York as a child, has never lost while wearing a Nets uniform to the Knicks. Afterward, he recalled watching the rivalry with his father or at friends’ homes as a child and loving “the guys playing on Madison Square Garden, the Continental Airlines Arena.”
“I enjoy beating the Knicks and competing against them,” stated Irving. “But ultimately, the purpose, which is to win the game, is all that matters. Absolutely nothing personal”