Injury filled Nets fall for the 76ers with Joel double-double

When the Brooklyn Nets took the court, they were without seven players, including stars Kevin Durant and James Harden.

Kevin Durant is sidelined due to a left hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, James Harden has already missed the majority of the games due to a right hamstring strain. Tyler Johnson, likewise, is still dealing with right knee pain. LaMarcus Aldridge was unable to play due to a non-COVID-19 sickness.

@HSpecialSurgery nets Status update for tonight’s game in Philadelphia: https://twitter.com/EpoM6e7pZ2

April 14, 2021 — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets)

In addition, Blake Griffin is out with a persistent knee problem. Worst of all, the Nets faced their Eastern Conference rivals, the Philadelphia Sixers.

 

The Brooklyn Nets were defeated 123-117 by the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. With the win, the Sixers seized a one-game lead over the 37-18 Nets with 17 games remaining in the season.

The 76ers had a solid start and a strong conclusion. Both teams began off strong, with a four-point difference, with the Nets seizing the lead.

Before Irving began making plays for the Brooklyn Nets, the 76ers led 15-6 He scored 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the first 10 minutes, and the Nets seized a 24-23 lead thanks to his straight baskets.

However, the Sixers took a 32-28 lead into the second quarter and quickly extended their lead to a 12-point advantage midway through the period.

Following that, Irving made four free throws to cut the 76ers’ lead to seven points as the game entered the half. Before halftime, he had 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting and seven assists for the Nets. Brooklyn shot 56.4 percent in the first half, but tried only eight 3-pointers and made only two.

While the Sixers shot 55.6 percent overall and 58.3 percent on 3-pointers (7-of-12), The 76ers were up seven points as the third quarter began, and they expanded their lead with 4:30 remaining.

Irving is making incredible plays for the Nets.

It was up to Kyrie Irving to step up and score in the absence of James and Durant. He made some impressive runs and even trimmed the lead. Even yet, it was insufficient to take over Embid’s 76ers.

The 76ers increased their lead to 16 points, leading the Nets 85-69. Then Irving went on an unbelievable 8-0 run, scoring six points.

Beyond Meat | @BeyondMeat pic.twitter.com/1lY4O69DES

April 15, 2021 — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets)

He converted two free throws to get the Nets within 85-77 before the Sixers went on to win the game 94-84 in the fourth quarter.

However, the 76ers quickly went on a 15-4 run to start the fourth quarter, extending their lead to 21 points. They made six of their first seven shots in the run and led 109-88 with nine minutes remaining in the game.

The Sixers quickly led 112-90 before the Nets cut the lead in half with a 21-2 surge. Bruce Brown Jr. got the surge started with a three-pointer and two free throws.

With 3:37 remaining, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot scored on the break off a Brooklyn steal to pull the Nets within 114-106. With 2:18 remaining, Alize Johnson’s rebound basket made it 114-111. However, the Nets were unable to seize the lead.

 

With just over a minute remaining, the 76ers were still within 118-115. They eventually won the game by seizing the lead from the foul line over the Nets.

The 76ers defeated the Nets 123-117 to take a 6-point lead and sole possession of top place.

Kyrie Irving led the way for Brooklyn with 37 points, his 13th 30-point game of the season. Irving finished with a 13-for-21 shooting percentage and nine assists.

DeAndre Jordan finished with a double-double of 12 points and 14 rebounds, as well as five assists. Landry Shamet led all scorers with 17, Jeff Green had 15, and Bruce Brown had 14.

Joel Embid takes the victory.

 

The 76ers have been playing really well since Joel Embid returned from injury. Despite having the Nets’ standout DeAndre Jordan protecting him, Joel Embid made clutch plays to help the 76ers win.

Jordan gave the 76ers’ big man a hard time and kept him from scoring. But it wasn’t enough to stop Embid, who made easy baskets and fantastic plays.

Eventually had a tremendous double-double with 39 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists. @JoelEmbiid’s MONSTER double-double propels the @sixers past Brooklyn!

pic.twitter.com/EjFz95rC1x 39 PTS | 13 REB

April 15, 2021 — NBA (@NBA)

Embid finished with a double-double after playing 33 minutes. Tobias Harris scored 26 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and dished out 3 assists. Similarly, Ben Simmons had 4 rebounds and 9 assists.

“We’re pleased with how we played tonight,” Nash added. “We worked hard. We had fun together.

You could see our gang was fighting for one another. The bench players could be seen cheering for the reserve group that came on in the second half.

It demonstrates our group’s connectivity and growth, as well as the fact that these guys care about each other, which is quite significant.

We don’t want to be in any question about it, win or lose. To see that tonight, as well as a performance in a heartbreaking loss, made us all very proud of the group.”

On Saturday, the 76ers will face the Los Angeles Clippers, while the Nets will face the Charlotte Hornets.

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