Joel Embiid Drops 59, Amazes Twitter with Historic Stat Line in 76ers' Win Over Jazz
Nov 14, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 13: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball during the game against the Utah Jazz on November 13, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid had been slowed by an illness earlier this season, but the big man proved he's fully recovered with his most dominant performance of the year Sunday.
Embiid poured in 59 points while adding 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocks to lead the Sixers to a 105-98 win over the Utah Jazz. He shot 19-of-28 from the field and 20-of-24 from the free-throw line. The win improves Philadelphia to 7-7.
The Sixers needed every bit of Embiid's scoring outburst for the victory. Tyrese Maxey was the team's second-leading scorer with 18 points, and no other player reached double figures.
Social media was full of praise for the five-time All-Star for his dominance Sunday:
This is one of the most dominant performances of Joel Embiid’s career
Per @StatsWilliams, Joel Embiid is the first person to have at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five blocks in a game since stats became an official stat 50 years ago.
Joel Embiid: 59 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 blocks in 76ers’ 105-98 victory over Jazz. 26 points and 5 blocks in the fourth quarter. Embiid drops 101 points inside 24 hours in victories over Hawks and Jazz.
this is maybe the single-best game I've ever seen Embiid play (at least on offense) and they are up 2 with 8:22 to play, free throws pending. Would be an all-time carry job if he can get them this one. 43-9-8 and counting
Embiid has scored 24 points in the fourth quarter on 7-for-8 shooting. He made his first seven attempts. His lone miss came on a three-point attempt. He also blocked five shots in the quarter.
Embiid's incredible performance is a follow-up from his 42-point, 10-rebound effort in Saturday's win over the Atlanta Hawks. He has scored 101 points in a 24-hour span, shouldering the scoring load in the absence of Sixers guard James Harden.
Embiid will get some much-needed rest as the Sixers have time off before returning to action Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
76ers' Joel Embiid: 'Some Days I Can’t Lift My Arm Up' Due to Shoulder Injury
Nov 13, 2022
TORONTO, ON - OCTOBER 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Toronto Raptors during the first half of their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on October 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid told reporters he has been limited by a shoulder injury.
"I don't know what happened. But some days I can't lift my arm up. And when I go block shots, I really feel it," he said Saturday, per Sam DiGiovanni of Clutch Points. "I don't know what’s going on. But it's whatever."
Embiid has missed time due to a knee injury and illness this year, although the shoulder issue appears to be a new problem.
The 28-year-old has suffered a number of ailments over his seven-year career, and he has never appeared in more than 68 games in a season, which came during the 2021-22 campaign.
Embiid is off to a solid start this season, averaging 29.3 points, 10 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 blocks in nine games while shooting 51.4 percent from the floor. However, his numbers have dipped from the 2021-22 season, in which he averaged 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.5 blocks while shooting 49.9 percent from the floor.
When Embiid is sidelined, P.J. Tucker sees time at center for the Sixers. In addition, Montrezl Harrell is called upon to handle a heavier workload.
The 76ers will need Embiid to remain healthy if they want a chance to contend for an NBA title this year. However, even when he has been healthy, Philly has struggled, posting a 6-7 record through 13 games.
Kemba Walker Told Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown 'to Love Each Other' amid Trade Rumors
Nov 13, 2022
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) gestures to teammates against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Bucks won 117-113. (AP Photo/Jon Durr)
Kemba Walker said he helped Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown stick together amid constant trade rumors.
The former Celtics guard discussed the situation with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod (h/t Conor Roche of Boston.com):
I remember me telling those guys, because they've always seen the talks and everybody saying they can't play with each other, I always told them just block that out. I always told them, this organization isn’t going nowhere without you two, literally. My main thing to those guys was that they have to love each other. Jayson and Jaylen, you two guys have to come together as much as you can and lead this team to the promised land. They can't go anywhere without those two guys.
Tatum and Brown were viewed as
the long-term foundation of the Celtics roster, but questions began
to emerge about whether the duo would remain in place amid the team's
sluggish start to the 2021-22 season.
Boston started the campaign 2-5 and
spent most of the season's first half hovering around .500, which
was well below preseason expectations.
In mid-January, Tatum told reporters a
conversation with Brown had them come to the conclusion they "both want to be
here" together:
"It's not many players in the
league like JB. The grass ain't always greener. We've had some great
stretches and this year hasn't been what we've expected, but I think
in the long run it will be good for us. We gotta figure some things
out, but I think the most important thing is we both want it
extremely bad. We want to try to figure it out together. So for us
just to be on the same page is extremely important. We got each
other's back and we're going to give it all we got to figure this
out, regardless of what people say."
The Celtics bounced back in a massive way, eventually reaching the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors, where they lost in six games.
Tatum has developed into one of the
NBA's most complete players since Boston selected him with the third
overall pick in the 2017 draft.
The 24-year-old Duke product averaged
26.9 points, 8.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists last season in Boston.He ranked second among all NBA players in FiveThirtyEight's WAR metric (15.8) for
2021-22.
Through 13 games in 2022-23, the three-time All-Star has raised his game to a new level with an average of 32.3 points per game.
Brown has been nearly as productive, earning one All-Star selection while scoring at least 20 points per game in each of the last three years.
Despite earlier question marks, it's now clear the two can coexist and compete at a high level while helping the Celtics contend for a championship.
Walker only spent two years with Boston, but his leadership might have had a profound effect on the franchise.
NBA Twitter Raves About Kevin Durant's All-Around Dominance in Nets Win vs. Clippers
Nov 12, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 12: Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets walks on to the court during the game against the LA Clippers on November 12, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 110-95 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena for their fourth win in their last five games to move to 6-7 on the season.
Despite getting into foul trouble in the third quarter, Kevin Durant was a significant factor in lifting Brooklyn to victory. The four-time scoring champion finished with 27 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 35 minutes. He made 10 of 16 shots from the floor and three of five shots from deep.
In addition to Durant, Seth Curry put together his second consecutive game with 20-plus points off the bench, finishing with 22 points, three rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes. He made nine of 15 shots from the floor and four of eight attempts from deep.
While Curry appears to be getting into a groove, it was still Durant that was given much of the praise by NBA fans on Twitter:
KD continues to remind those that just say “ he’s a great scorer “ of his all around brilliance!
Kevin Durant is the 1st player to begin a season with 13 straight 25-point games since Michael Jordan began the 1988-89 season with 16 straight. pic.twitter.com/aV16eNZCvZ
I really like this Nets team as is. They're way more locked in on defense, the supporting cast is delivering, Kevin Durant is delivering as Kevin Durant does, and new head coach Jacque Vaughn seems to have found something with this group. This will be a great team this year.
Durant has been on a tear this season. He entered Saturday's game averaging 30.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.9 blocks in 12 games while shooting 51.9 percent from the floor and 32.2 percent from deep.
The Nets are now 4-1 in Kyrie Irving's absence. The veteran point guard was suspended at least five games by the Nets after initially failing to condemn and apologize for posting a link to an antisemitic film on his social media accounts in October.
Celtics' Jaylen Brown Out vs. Pistons Because of Knee Injury
Nov 12, 2022
Denver Nuggets' Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (5) defends against Boston Celtics' Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
The Boston Celtics announced that guard Jaylen Brown will miss the team's road game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday with a left knee contusion.
On Friday, Brown made his first 10 shots en route to 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 35 minutes in a 131-112 home win over the Denver Nuggets.
The Celtics initially listed Brown as questionable for the Pistons game but ruled him out before tipoff. Jay King of The Athletic provided an update on his status midday.
"On top of the knee contusion from last night, Jaylen Brown said he rolled his ankle in a previous game," King tweeted. "So he's a little banged up, but he didn't seem to think it was serious at all."
John Karalis of the Boston Sports Journal reported that Brown "knocked knees late in the game" against Denver.
Now in his seventh NBA season, Brown has missed at least 15 games in each of the past three campaigns. He was healthy at the outset of the 2022-23 season, and he is averaging 25.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
The Celtics will also be without Al Horford (low back stiffness) and Malcolm Brogdon (right hamstring tightness).
Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will see an increase in minutes with Brown out.
Nets' Joe Tsai Met with Kyrie Irving, 'Clear' He Doesn't Have Antisemitic Beliefs
Nov 11, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on November 01, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets governor Joe Tsai said Friday that he met with guard Kyrie Irving amid his suspension for promoting a movie on social media that includes antisemitic viewpoints.
Tsai tweeted that it's "clear" Irving doesn't have any hatred toward Jewish people and that he, Irving, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association are working toward "a process of forgiveness, healing and education."
The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.
The NBPA seconded Tsai regarding a plan to achieve "forgiveness, understanding and healing" for Irving and everyone involved:
We have been working closely with Kyrie, the Nets organization and the NBA to develop a plan to move forward through forgiveness, understanding and healing. https://t.co/KQ0Dn2BPNO
Irving initially didn't apologize when asked by the media about tweeting the link, which led the Nets to suspend him for at least five games.
In a statement, the Nets said they were "dismayed" Irving "refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film."
Irving eventually apologized in an Instagram post, calling the antisemitic narratives in the movie "false."
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that the Nets laid out six steps Irving would have to go through in order to be reinstated:
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
- Apologize/condemn movie - $500K donation to anti-hate causes - Sensitivity training - Antisemitic training - Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders - Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
Among the steps was to meet with Tsai and "demonstrate understanding" for why he was wrong.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who is Jewish, told Sopan Deb of the New York Times on Thursday that he met with Irving and doesn't believe he is antisemitic, though Silver added, "Whether or not he is antisemitic is not relevant to the damage caused by the posting of hateful content."
The 30-year-old Irving has served four games of his suspension, meaning he could be in line to rejoin the team for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after sitting for a fifth consecutive game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
Aside from Kevin Durant, Irving is the Nets' most important player, and he has been productive this season, averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 2.6 three-pointers made, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks in eight games.
If and when Irving does return, it should provide a huge boost to a 5-7 Nets team that is looking to get back on track and into championship contention.
Woj: 'Skepticism' Kyrie Irving Returns to Nets for Upcoming Lakers, Kings Games
Nov 11, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on from the bench during the second quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on November 01, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Even though Kyrie Irving's suspension could end after Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, there's reportedly still uncertainty over when he will return to the court.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, there is "skepticism Irving will be in position to return" for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers or Tuesday's matchup with the Sacramento Kings.
Nets players Royce O'Neale and Nic Claxton told reporters Friday they have been in contact with Irving but could not say if he will rejoin the team this weekend:
Nic Claxton said he’s also been in contact with Kyrie — and says he’s “in great spirits.” Does Claxton think Kyrie will play on this road trip? “I have no idea.”
Nets governor Joe Tsai tweeted he and his wife, Clara, met with Irving on Thursday and wrote it was clear the seven-time All-Star "does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group."
In an interview with Sopan Deb of the New York Times, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he met with Irving at the league offices earlier this week.
"We had a direct and candid conversation," Silver said. "He’s someone I’ve known for a decade, and I’ve never heard an antisemitic word from him or, frankly, hate directed at any group."
Silver did tell Deb in a follow-up conversation over the phone that whether Irving is antisemitic is "not relevant to the damage caused by the posting of hateful content."
The Nets announced on Nov. 3 that Irving was being suspended for at least five games. The decision came after he tweeted a link to a documentary that contains antisemitic tropes.
In the wake of criticism about his post on Twitter, Irving did not apologize and refused to give a definitive answer when asked if he had antisemitic beliefs.
Kyrie Irving says he didn't mean to cause any harm in sharing a post to a film that has been described as anti-Semitic:
After the Nets announced Irving's suspension, he issued an apology on Instagram:
"While doing research on YHWH, I posted a Documentary that contained some false anti-Semitic statements, narratives, and language that were untrue and offensive to the Jewish Race/Religion, and I take full accountability and responsibly for my actions. I am grateful to have a big platform to share knowledge and I want to move forward by having an open dialogue to learn more and grow from this.
"To All Jewish families and Communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize. I initially reacted out of emotion to being unjustly labeled Anti-Semitic, instead of focusing on the healing process of my Jewish Brothers and Sisters that were hurt from the hateful remarks made in the Documentary. I want to clarify any confusion on where I stand fighting against Anti- semticism by apologizing for posting the documentary without context and a factual explanation outlining the specific beliefs in the Documentary I agreed with and disagreed with. I had no intentions to disrespect any Jewish cultural history regarding the Holocaust or perpetuate any hate. I am learning from this unfortunate event and hope we can find understanding between us all. I am no different than any other human being. I am a seeker of truth and knowledge, and I know who I Am."
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Nets have given Irving a list of six requirements he must meet before he will be allowed to return:
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
- Apologize/condemn movie - $500K donation to anti-hate causes - Sensitivity training - Antisemitic training - Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders - Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown, who is also vice president of the National Basketball Players Association, told Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe the union is expected to appeal Irving's suspension.
"The terms, etc., that went into his return. The terms for his return, they seem like a lot, and a lot of the players expressed discomfort with the terms," Brown said.
On Thursday, LeBron James tweeted he thinks what's being asked of Irving to get back on the court is "excessive" and "he should be able to play" after apologizing.
Irving is in the final season of his contract with the Nets. The 30-year-old started each of the team's first eight games prior to being suspended.
Philadelphia 76ers Ripped for Sloppy Play in Loss vs. Atlanta Hawks
Nov 11, 2022
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 10: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers handles the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on November 10, 2022 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Philadelphia 76ers trailed by as many as 20 points before losing 104-95 to the host Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
This was an ugly game for the 76ers in many respects.
Philadelphia committed 17 turnovers, with Joel Embiid having seven of them.
Embiid had a good game on paper otherwise (26 points, 13 rebounds, plus-10), but opposing center Clint Capela outclassed him on this evening with 18 points and 20 rebounds in just 26 minutes (plus-24 rating). Backup big man Onyeka Okongwu (10 points, 11 boards) also helped the Hawks out-rebound the 76ers 54-45.
Elsewhere, 76ers forward Tobias Harris and guard Tyrese Maxey combined to shoot just 10-of-32 from the field (2-of-10 from three-point range). The team as a whole made just 6-of-30 three-pointers.
The Hawks also went on two separate 12-0 runs: one to cap the third quarter and another one a few minutes into the fourth.
This was a disappointing loss for a 76ers team that had just beaten the 8-3 Phoenix Suns 100-88 despite playing without James Harden (right foot tendon strain). However, the Hawks game showed how much the team misses him right now.
Twitter let its feelings known about the 76ers' performance during and after the game.
76ers got no chemistry, doc rivers coaching is old school, just something isn’t adding up for y’all. You guys got a top tier team on paper, but the adjustments and gameplan isn’t working for the 76ers. https://t.co/fvZhJI3i5A
Tyrese Maxey's last three games: 15-54 from the field. He's 1-7 tonight and looks completely unsure of what to do unless he's passing in pick-and-roll to Joel Embiid.
Not impossible, but pretty hard for this team to win without James Harden when he's playing like this.
Let this game show you how important James Harden is to this team he makes everybody's job easier when he's facilitating everything specially for Tyrese Maxey
The 5-7 76ers will have a quick chance for revenge when they host the Hawks on Saturday.
Kyrie Irving's Relationship with Nike Likely Over, Co-Founder Phil Knight Says
Nov 10, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets brings the ball up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center on November 01, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
As Kyrie Irving's status with the Brooklyn Nets remains uncertain, his partnership with Nike could be coming to an end.
During an appearance on CNBC that aired Thursday (h/t the Associated Press), Nike co-founder Phil Knight said it's unlikely the company will keep its working relationship with Irving.
"I would doubt that we go back," Knight explained. "But I don't know for sure."
Nike announced last week it suspended its relationship with Irving and canceled the scheduled release of his new signature shoe that was scheduled to launch on Nov. 11.
The decision comes amid the fallout from Irving's promotion of a movie containing antisemitic ideas.
Despite being given multiple opportunities, Irving refused to apologize in the immediate aftermath. Speaking to reporters Nov. 3, Irving refused to say sorry or say definitively he didn't have antisemitic beliefs.
Kyrie Irving says he didn't mean to cause any harm in sharing a post to a film that has been described as anti-Semitic:
After Irving's press conference, the Nets announced they were suspending the seven-time All-Star for at least five games and that he won't be reinstated until he "satisfies a series of objective remedial measures" to address the negative impact caused by his conduct.
Following the suspension announcement, Irving issued an apology on Instagram:
Kyrie Irving issues an apology amid antisemitism controversy that led to his suspension by Nets: “To all Jewish families and communities that are hurt and affected from my post, I am deeply sorry to have caused you pain, and I apologize.” pic.twitter.com/QUXt1WtK2g
Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported a list of six things the Nets are requiring Irving to complete before considering reinstating him:
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
- Apologize/condemn movie - $500K donation to anti-hate causes - Sensitivity training - Antisemitic training - Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders - Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
Charania reported Irving and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met in person Tuesday.
Per ESPN's Nick Friedell, Irving's contact with Nike was set to expire Oct. 1, 2023. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne reported in May the sports apparel giant was "unlikely" to renew its deal with the Nets guard.
Irving signed with Nike in 2011, the same year he was the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. His first signature shoe was released in 2014.
NBA Twitter Roasts Knicks for 'Flat' Play in Blowout Loss to Nets
Nov 10, 2022
Brooklyn Nets' Edmond Sumner (4) defends New York Knicks' Jalen Brunson (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
The New York Knicks entered Wednesday's road game against the Brooklyn Nets as the NBA's most average team, as KnicksMuse and John Hollinger of the Athletic noted:
The Knicks this year
Record: 5-5 (.500) Against above .500 teams: 0-5 Against below .500 teams: 5-0 Points Scored: 1150 Points Allowed: 1150 AST per game: 15th BLK per game: 15th +/- of 0 pic.twitter.com/5KRtvdCueG
Are the Knicks a simulation? They are now 5-5 with a +0.0 point differential. They are 16th in offense, 16th in defense, and 15th in SRS. They have played five home games and five road games. They are 1-1 in overtime.
The Knicks would have settled for "average" Wednesday but instead looked like the unquestioned worst team in basketball in the first half, which saw the Nets jump out to a 69-44 lead en route to a 112-85 win for the visitors.
Julius Randle excelled with 19 first-half points en route to 24 overall, but the rest of the team combined for just 25 points before halftime. Jalen Brunson only had four points and one assist, and RJ Barrett scored just five through the first 24 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Nets led wire-to-wire and took a 24-8 lead to start the game. Kevin Durant finished the half with 15 points and nine assists, while Edmond Sumner (15 points) and SethCurry (14 points) combined with KD to score as many points as the entire Knicks team over the first half.
It only got worse for the Knicks in the fourth quarter, when they scored just two points in the first 7:23 and five in the first nine minutes before a trio of garbage-time threes for 14 points in the final frame.
New York ended the game shooting 32.2 percent from the field and 12-of-43 from three-point range. Meanwhile, Durant ended up with a 29-point, 12-assist, 12-rebound triple-double, while Sumner (18 points in 19 minutes) and Curry (23 minutes in 23 minutes) did incredible damage despite neither Net even playing half the game.
This was an unmitigated disaster for a Knicks team against a Nets squad in turmoil, given the ongoing Kyrie Irving saga and suspension as well as the parting of ways with head coach Steve Nash.
But in his first game without the "interim" tag, new head coach Jacque Vaughn has his team playing great basketball (3-1 since taking over). The same can't be said for head coach Tom Thibodeau and his Knicks, who dropped to 5-6.
Here's how some of Twitter reached to the Knicks' performance.
Nets lead Knicks, 69-44, at the half. Was reminded that no one played last night because of elections, so you can’t say the Knicks are tired in the second game of a back-to-back. Nets just playing harder and batter at both ends of the floor. Quality basketball in Brooklyn. #NBA
The Knicks should be favored in upcoming home games against the young and rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder and the Detroit Pistons, but they will have to play much better shortly if they are to survive an impending five-game Western Conference road trip, which starts Nov. 15 against the Western Conference-leading Utah Jazz.
