Kyrie Irving hasn’t been able to produce during the fourth quarter since Kevin Durant was sidelined by a knee injury, Brian Lewis of the New York Post notes. Against Boston on Thursday, the Nets star guard shot 3-of-10, missing all three 3-point attempts, in the last 12 minutes. Against the Thunder on Sunday, Irving had just two points on 1-for-4 shooting in the fourth quarter.
“I’m doing the best job I can. I wish I could make a few more shots within the minutes and be efficient,” Irving said of those Nets’ losses. “I know that’ll come, and I’ll continue to prepare the best way I know how and be a better example for the guys in the locker room.”
The Nets were without both stars on Tuesday. Irving missed the game against San Antonio with right calf soreness, Nick Friedell of ESPN tweets.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- Jalen Brunson, Quentin Grimes, RJ Barrett, Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson and Immanuel Quickley have absorbed a vast majority of the minutes in Tom Thibodeau’s latest Knicks rotation, according to Fred Katz of The Athletic. The Knicks could use another source of offense if they continue with that rotation, which means a trade to address that need is a possibility. Houston’s Eric Gordon or a wing player could be the target.
- With Fred VanVleet likely to decline his player option in order to become a free agent this summer, the Raptors are in a tricky situation regarding their point guard, Eric Koreen of The Athletic writes. A hot streak by VanVleet could help them move him for a suitable package before the deadline. If the Raptors decide not to trade him, they had better be prepared to make a serious long-term commitment this summer, despite his off year.
- If the Raptors can get an offer for Pascal Siakam like Utah did for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, they should strongly consider it, Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype opines. Toronto could seek multiple unprotected first-round picks, prospects, and good veterans on team-friendly deals for Siakam. Teams like Dallas, Phoenix, and Atlanta would be great fits for Siakam and could all make strong offers for him, Gozlan adds. That would facilitate a reshaping of their core group without an extended rebuild.
Why would the Knicks need Eric Gordon? They already have Evan Fournier and Derrick Rose and neither of them get any playing time. Eric Gordon would just suffer the same fate.
With you 100%
No need for Gordon whatsoever. Especially when we have a good thing going on defense lately.
Siakam
3-pt 32.6%
Suns get Siakam
Raptors get 4 players
Crowder
Saric
Shamet
Paye
2 Firsts
Salary matching
Next Season Suns have too much tax
Chris Paul, Crowder and 2 Firsts for Siakam
Next Season Suns have too much tax
That’s not a Gobert type package
Siakam is an overpaid bum this season
Suns won’t be able to afford Fade VanVleet next season because of Cam Johnson new contract.
This is the single dumbest post I’ve ever read.
@rae – it’s par for the course. Need to read the other comments from the past to fully understand the depth this one can go.
What the f is wrong with you dude?
How dare you disrespect Spicy P that way. I can tolerate your stupid lists, and ridiculous trade proposals … but now you’ve gone too far.
watch some basketball! or at least load your brain with facts before you shoot your mouth off.
Probably one of your dumbest takes I’ve ever seen, and there has been plenty
25.6/8.3/6.5 on .475/.326/.791 with a PER of 22.1 and a BPM of +4.4. If Siakim playing like a bum, it’s a very nice bum.
Dear Kyrie,
Forget about being a better example to anyone, that ship has sailed. Just score better.
-NBA Fan
Yes, another guard/small forward. What the Knicks need is a solid rotation guy over 6’10” not named Robinson.
What the Knicks need is a closer on offense for when Randall is off and the offense gets stagnant. DeRozan would be nice to have in 4th quarter of close games.
Donavan Mitchell would have made this team really really good. A shame we passed up on that opportunity over some mid to late round picks.
Dlo has ice in his veins and Thibs loves to scream ICE. Perfect fit.
Dlo for Fournier and Quickley.
Siakam is not going anywhere… do not think the Raptors will get anything worthwhile for Van Vleet but if they do, go for it. OG looks too slow for the NBA game of today. maybe let him go. I can also see the Raptors adding a player. They are not that bad a team just that Nurse plays 7 or 8 players and they wear out. Using Barnes as basically a point guard was genius, way better than having him sit in the right corner with the other spectators. I thought Banton looked good but they sent him down to the G league. they do need draft picks as their most recent picks like Flynn have been a bust.