The surging Sacramento Kings traveled to Barclays Center Friday night to take on the Brooklyn Nets. The Kings were 6-2 in their last eight games going into the matchup, while the Nets were 2-4 in their last six. Kyrie Irving and Caris LeVert continued to ride the bench due to injuries.

In their absence, the rest of the team more than stepped up to fill the gaps, leading them to a 116-97 victory over the Kings.

One thing that became apparent early on is just how critical Spencer Dinwiddie is to this team’s success. Without the other ballhandlers of Irving and LeVert, his playmaking ability was an even hotter commodity.

The Goatee ↗️ The Fro@SDinwiddie_25 | @_bigjayy_ pic.twitter.com/SWuLLeM8Kb

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 23, 2019

Also, the rise of Joe Harris has not been talked about enough this season. Sure, the league was put on notice about his three-point capabilities when he won the contest at the All-Star Week, but he’s much more than a three-point threat. He has taken huge leaps forward in both his playmaking and finishing around the rim this season.

Joe got that board and hit 'em with the reverse 👀 pic.twitter.com/jJxS2eXbUi

— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) November 23, 2019

Of course, his ability to hit threes is still one of the best around. The biggest difference-maker in this game was the fact that the Nets shots 35.3 percent from three while holding the Kings to only 15.4 percent. Brooklyn’s 12 made threes to Sacramento’s four were crucial.

This game was another example of the Nets succeeding without Irving, which shows the growth of this squad. They are all getting more minutes in Kenny Atkinson’s system and it is showing. As this season goes on, the experience of learning how to win without Irving will be critical to the team’s continued success.