Kyrie Irving's career-high 55 points power Cavaliers past Trail Blazers
Kyrie Irving made sure the Cleveland Cavaliers didn't need LeBron James on Wednesday night.
Irving erupted for a career-high 55 points to help the Cavaliers squeak past the Portland Trail Blazers with a thrilling 99-94 victory.
Irving shot 17-of-36 from the field, including 11-of-19 from deep, while adding five assists and four rebounds to power Cleveland to its season-high-tying eighth consecutive victory.
The point guard's 11 3-pointers set a franchise record, and his 55 points is an NBA season high.
Kyrie Irving finished with 55 Pts -- only LeBron (56) has had more in team history -- and a team-record 11 3-pt FG. pic.twitter.com/MTVnb7edQG
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 29, 2015
"What Kyrie did is for the pantheon," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said. "That's something everybody here in Cleveland will be able to relish and treasure."
The two-time All-Star's huge effort allowed the Cavaliers to overcome the absence of James, who sat out with a sprained wrist. Cleveland improved to 2-8 this season without James in the lineup.
Just watched live one of if not the one greatest performances by a person and he happen to be my teammate/runningmate/brother @KyrieIrving!!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 29, 2015
Irving put the Cavaliers on his back from the start, propelling them to a 10-point lead at halftime behind a 28-point effort - the most points he's ever scored in a half.
But he was far from done, and came through with a number of clutch shots late. He nailed the eventual game-winning 3-pointer with six seconds left to hold off a Trail Blazers team backed by a 38-point, 11-rebound performance from LaMarcus Aldridge.
Irving became the second player in Cavaliers history besides James to reach the 50-point plateau. He also joined James as the only players in the NBA this season with back-to-back 35-point games.
The scoring outburst marked the sixth 40-plus point game of Irving's career.