Kyrie Irving said "it was nothing like being out there" on his return from an eight-game suspension as he and a sensational Ben Simmons helped the Brooklyn Nets to a 127-115 National Basketball Association victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.
Irving, who scored 14 points in 26 minutes at the Barclays Centre, was just glad to be back on court, though he admitted his match sharpness was just a tad off.
"Felt good, felt good. Just missed my teammates, missed the coaching staff," he said.
"You saw me dribbling the ball out there, the ball was miraculously just going on my hands, so there's just some rust and, you know, just get back into NBA basketball.
"There's no way I can create NBA basketball when I'm just sitting at home with my friends as much as I want to compete with them, as much as I love, it's just nothing like being out there."
Irving was suspended by the Nets after his social media post linking to a movie condemned as anti-Semitic sparked a furore.
And now, coach Jacque Vaughn believes the 30-year-old point guard can finally put all the controversy behind him as both the 2016 NBA champion and the team can focus on basketball going forward.
This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
NORRIS RIDES A WAVE OF SUPPORT
Briton gets congratulations from peers and politicians after breakthrough win in Miami
I DIDN'T WANT TO GO HOME: MITCHELL
Cavs’ Game 7 hero says they are in play-offs to win and will be ready for the Celtics
SPEECH INSPIRES ACS(I) TO VICTORY
‘Psyched up’ by the sidelined Jeremiah, they beat St Andrew’s to regain B Div rugby title
KRANJI'S VERY BIG 220 SURPRISE
Stunner saves Class 5 dweller from M’sia trip, gives Espindola 100 per cent record
Expanding global outreach among priorities for SICCI as it turns lOO
Digitalisation and sustainability are two other focus areas for trade association
Indonesia's QI GDP growth beats forecasts but outlook uncertain
Keeping strong pace will be hard due to tight local monetary policy, global factors
Qantas to pay $89m penalty over 'ghost flights'
Aussie airline will also compensate those who bought tickets on flights already axed
Luxury watch investment firm found to be in breach of contract
A company founded by Singaporean watch expert Dominic Khoo that runs a luxury timepiece investment scheme has been found by the High Court to have breached its contractual obligations to five investors from Hong Kong.
Jail for scam mastermind who cheated company director of 1.5m
Man who devised loan ruse to dupe victim into handing over sum gets 5-year sentence
End of an era
Thambi Magazine Store in Holland Village closes down after more than 80 years
