Kyrie drops record-breaking 50 points in bittersweet Nets debut
Everything except the final result fell Kyrie Irving's way Wednesday.
Irving dropped 50 points in his Brooklyn Nets debut, setting a new NBA record for the most points scored by a player in his first game with a new team, according to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
It wasn't enough, though, as the Nets fell 127-126 in overtime to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Most points in a team debut
| Player | Team | Points | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyrie Irving | Nets | 50 | 2019-20 |
| Kiki VanDeWeghe | Trail Blazers | 47 | 1984-85 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | Warriors (Philadelphia) | 43 | 1959-60 |
The 27-year-old also set a new Nets franchise record for the most points scored by a player in a season opener. That mark previously belonged to Stephon Marbury, who scored 39 against the Indiana Pacers to open the 1999-00 campaign, according to Basketball Reference.
Irving nearly stole the win for Brooklyn in the dying seconds of overtime. After momentarily losing his dribble, he recovered to open up a clear look - but his shot clanked off iron, giving the Timberwolves the win.
What have i just witnessed pic.twitter.com/MQM5jDIvzl
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) October 24, 2019
Though he didn't break the Nets franchise record for most points in a single game - that mark still belongs to Deron Williams, who poured in 57 in 2012 against the Charlotte Hornets - Irving's 50-point outing marked the best scoring display by any Nets player since the franchise left New Jersey for Brooklyn in 2012.