Unfortunately, Nets fans, there’s some trouble in…Brooklyn.
Nets guard Kyrie Irving went down and had to leave in the second quarter of Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday with a sprained ankle. He has now officially been ruled out for Game 5 on Tuesday. Head coach Steve Nash is unsure if Irving can play again this series.
This game is the definition of pivotal for Brooklyn. The Nets won the first two in this series in dominant fashion, then dropped the last two in embarrassing fashion. Quite frankly, in games three and four, the Bucks just played way harder than the Nets did. Brooklyn looked like they didn’t have any desire to match the Bucks’ physicality.
This physicality was led by P.J. Tucker by the way, who has been key for the Bucks’ game plan of taking Kevin Durant out of the game, the one and only healthy member left of the Big 3 for the Nets.
It’s not just Durant’s fault though.
Games one and two for the Nets, compared to games three and four, have been night and day.
In games 1-2, Brooklyn averaged 120 PPG, 44.5 RPG, 26 APG, 49.5% FG and 44.2% 3FG. In games 3-4, they averaged 89.5 PPG, 46.5 RPG, 17.5 APG, 39.8% FG and 27.6% 3FG.
Not to mention the one x-factor that just simply hasn’t been showing up in these last two games is Joe Harris, one of the league’s best shooters.
In games three and four, Harris has a total of 11 points. In game three he was just 1/11 from the field and 1/7 from deep. Harris, in game four, he was 3/8 from the field and 2/6 from deep. This can’t happen if the Nets want to win, knowing that KD is the only healthy member of their big 3.
With Kyrie out, along with James Harden doubtful with his injured hamstring, it’s looking scary for Brooklyn.
Many believed Brooklyn would sweep Milwaukee after the way the first two games of this series went. Will they be able to get this much needed Game 5 victory? Tune in Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Image: Getty
