Pours in 38 points in big win Irving had 38 points (14-26 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 8-9 FT), five rebounds, five assists and two steals in 39 minutes during Saturday's 126-123 win over the Bucks. Impact Irving was unstoppable in a rematch of last spring's Eastern Conference semifinals matchup, reaching a season high in scoring and doing so efficiently. His scoring total doubled that of the Nets' second-leading scorer (Seth Curry), and the veteran point guard rounded out his stat line with quality numbers in the assists and steals categories. Despite having missed most of the season before the Nets elected to welcome him back as a part-time player in January, Irving has been stellar when available, turning in per-game averages of 25.1 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 three-pointers and 1.1 steals. His value continues to be hampered by his lack of eligibility to play in home games, but there's a chance that New York City could lift its vaccine mandate in the upcoming weeks. For now, however, Irving's fantasy managers should expect him to miss the Nets' next three games. Brooklyn has home games Monday and Thursday versus the Raptors and Heat, respectively, and a road game in between Tuesday in Toronto, where unvaccinated visiting players from the United States aren't eligible to play. Irving should return to action when the Nets travel to Boston on March 6.
FEBRUARY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
