All of a sudden, the Nets are in problem.

Already down a superstar, Brooklyn misplaced one other when Kyrie Irving’s ankle rolled over to a painful sprain. Then the Nets have been bullied and pummeled by the Bucks on Sunday afternoon, 107-96, with Kevin Durant unable To maintain The load by his lonesome.

Simply a few days in the past, the Nets held a 2-0 collection benefit and appeared poised to cruise to the convention finals. Now they’re tied 2-2 with out a lot readability on when Irving or James Harden will play as quickly as extra.

The Nets trailed by 4 when Irving suffered his ankle sprain midway by way of the second quarter, when he soared for a lay-up and landed awkwardly on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s foot. They hung round till halftime After which shortly collapsed.

Durant scored 28 factors whereas capturing just 9-for-25, hounded by Milwaukee’s bodily protection. With Harden out As a Outcome of of hamstring strain he suffered just 20 seconds into Recreation 1, Durant had no assist from the supporting forged, with Joe Harris producing one other dud (eight factors, 3-of-8 capturing).

Irving managed just 17 minutes and was Brooklyn’s second-main scorer with 11 factors.

Antetokounmpo countered with 34 factors and 12 rebounds. The Bucks outscored the Nets by 29 factors in Antetokounmpo’s 38 minutes.

Without Irving, coach Steve Nash used Mike James at level guard To start out the second half. James was signed in Might after spending A lot of the final three seasons in Europe. He has overachieved with Brooklyn however couldn’t fill Irving’s sneakers Sunday. James struggled To start out the second half when the Bucks went on a 13-2 run and took administration of The sport.

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