Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and Kevin Durant added 22 in three quarters as the Brooklyn Nets took control early and cruised to a 125-99 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in the NBA’s season opener at New York.
The duo were spectacular in their first regular-season game since joining the Nets as free agents in July 2019. Brooklyn led by any as 38 points in Steve Nash’s coaching debut.
Limited to 20 games last season due to shoulder injuries, Irving made 10 of 16 shots and hit four three-pointers in his first game since Feb. 1. Irving added four assists and four rebounds while playing 25:18.
In his first game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals with Golden State against Toronto, Durant made seven of 16 shots, hit all seven of his free throws and contributed five rebounds to go along with three assists in 24:56.
Caris LeVert added 20 points as the Nets shot 45.7 percent and ended a seven-game losing streak in season openers.
Warriors star Stephen Curry, back after being limited to five games last season due to a broken left hand, posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists. He shot 7 of 21 and missed eight of 10 3-point tries.
Rookie James Wiseman added 19 points for the Warriors, who shot 37.4 percent and played without Draymond Green (strained right foot). Andrew Wiggins contributed 13 points but shot four of 16 while new acquisition Kelly Oubre Jr. was held to six points on 3-of-14 shooting from the floor.
Durant scored 10 quick points and gave Brooklyn an 18-8 lead by converting a baseline dunk with 7:20 remaining in the first quarter. Brooklyn held a 40-25 lead through the first 12 minutes after shooting 58.3 percent and getting 17 points from Irving.
The Nets held a 63-45 lead by halftime after Irving hit a three-pointer with 4.7 seconds remaining. Brooklyn opened a 77-49 lead with 8 1/2 minutes left in the third when Spencer Dinwiddie connected with Durant for a two-on-one dunk, and the hosts carried a 99-71 lead into the fourth.
—Field Level Media
