Irving scores 60 points in the game against the Magic

ORLANDO, Fla. — Brooklyn Nets point guard, Kyrie Irvingput together one of the most impressive offensive halves in basketball in recent NBA history during Tuesday’s game against the Orlando Magic, scoring 60 points in a dominant performance.

In 23 first-half minutes, Irving was 14-for-19 from the field, 6-for-7 from beyond the arc, 7-for-7 from the free throw line, and added three rebounds and three assists. At the end of the half, Irving earned applause from the Magic crowd every time he hit another shot. After hitting another three late in the half, the Nets star, Kevin Durantwaved to the crowd to cheer even louder as Irving walked to the bench to accept even more congratulations from his teammates.

The 29-year-old Irving set a variety of records with the first-half outburst. He was the highest scoring half of his career and the highest scoring half for any player all season. The last player to score as many points as Irving was the shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns, Devin Booker, who scored 51 points in the second half of the March 24, 2017, game against the Boston Celtics. Booker finished that game with 70 points.

Irving’s 41 points were also the most a player has scored in a half against the Magic in franchise history. The Nets’ 86 points is a franchise record for the most in any half and is the most the Magic have given up in a half in franchise history.

Irving, who is currently only allowed to play in road games due to New York City’s vaccination mandate, came into the game averaging 30.3 points per game in three March contests, including a 50-point performance in the victory of the March 8 on the Charlotte Hornets. He spent a couple of minutes on the bench in the first half while the Nets’ coaching staff checked out his left hand. He seemed to be a bit uncomfortable, but stayed in the game after receiving a bandage on his thumb.

The Nets led 86-56 at halftime.

At the end of the game, Kyrie left with impressive figures: 60 points product of 20-31 from the field (65%), 8-12 in triples (66%), 12-13 from the free throw line (92%); in addition to 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals.