Celtics

Nets collapse after Irving’s injury, lose to Wizards

By
comments
Posted on

C

Final: 02/01/2020

L 107 – 113

Following Friday night’s blowout victory over the Chicago Bulls, the Nets traveled to the nation’s capital in their first of three games against the Washington Wizards. For much of the game, the Wizards matched the Nets blow-for-blow, but a patented late fourth-quarter collapse ended in a victory for the Wizards. Bradley Beal dominated with 34 points and was lethal from start to finish. On Brooklyn’s side, Joe Harris scored 22 points (6-11 3PT) and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 26 points, and Harris looks to have broken his frigid shooting streak.

But the story of the night is Kyrie Irving’s injury. Irving and Bradley Beal got tied up near Brooklyn’s free throw line, resulting in Irving injuring his right knee. Irving left the game and walked to the locker room under his own power. Irving left the game at exactly the 5:29 mark of the fourth quarter, and from then on, the Wizards took over.

Just one night ago, the Nets defeated the Bulls behind a 54-point night from Irving. Brooklyn did not get a similar performance on Saturday night from their star guard.

The Nets struggled to defend all night long. However, the offense outpaced Washington’s until Irving’s injury. The Nets had every chance to put Washington away, but the Wizards did not die easily.

It was simple: Washington outworked and out-hustled an exhausted Nets team. The Wizards grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and forced 15 turnovers. They did not play great defense, but they got the stops when it mattered most. The Wizards shut down Brooklyn’s offense in the game’s final two minutes, with good looks not falling. 

Excellent ball movement defined the early stages of the night for Brooklyn, leading to open looks for Spencer Dinwiddie, Garrett Temple, Harris and Taurean Prince — the latter of which missed on his eight attempts. The early ball movement was a positive on a scary ending to the night.

Brooklyn’s selfless brand of basketball turned to hero ball once Irving went down with an injury, and even the most open of shots did not go down. That was the end of the game.  

The Nets will get to watch the Super Bowl from home before taking on the Phoenix Suns in Brooklyn on Monday night. The loss on Saturday was No. 27 of the season for the Nets. Brooklyn still remains the eighth seed in the East, leading Orlando by just a half-game. 

Kyrie Irving

C-

The stats: 11 PTS, 5-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 6 TO, 28 MIN

Kyrie Irving followed up his historic 54-point performance with a sub-par outing against the Wizards. Despite not repeating his dominant performance, Irving still provided some absurd highlights.

Still, it was Irving’s knee injury that defined his night. Nets faithful will keep Irving in their prayers.

Spencer Dinwiddie

A

The stats: 26 PTS, 9-23 FG, 4-10 3PT, 4-7 FT, 4 REB, 6 AST, 1 STL, 5 TO, 30 MIN

Spencer Dinwiddie was stellar in the win against Chicago.

Dinwiddie followed up his 20-point night with another 20+ point game, recording his third consecutive game with 20 or more. But Dinwiddie’s strong outing was not enough on Saturday.

With Irving possibly injured for an extended period of time, Dinwiddie may re-enter the starting five.

Garrett Temple

B

The stats: 17 PTS, 6-14 FG, 4-10 3PT, 1-1 FT, 5 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 36 MIN

Garrett Temple returned to D.C. in style on Saturday night. Temple had a monstrous first quarter, scoring 14 of his 17 points in the frame.

But Temple’s production took a dramatic nosedive in the final three quarters. On a night where Taurean Prince disappeared and Irving struggled to score, the Nets needed the vet to step up in crunch time.

Joe Harris

A+

The stats: 22 PTS, 8-16 FG, 6-11 3PT, 3 REB, 3 AST, 30 MIN

Joe Harris finally broke his cold streak.

He drilled four threes in the first half and another two in the second. Despite the loss, Harris’s strong performance bodes well for the team going forward.

It is also worth noting that Harris has reportedly received an invitation to defend his three-point championship, but has yet to accept the offer. (Our two cents: Do it, Joe!) 

About the Author

Game Recaps

Nets Analysis

Related Articles

News from Around NYC