The Brooklyn Nets may have just nabbed the signature win of what has been a difficult season on Saturday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks came in as favorites this weekend, but it was Kyrie Irving who went supernova mode and stole the show.

Irving did lots of his damage with suboptimal spacing around him. And he reminded the world that this Brooklyn squad cannot be counted out, no matter the circumstances.

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With Kevin Durant's return looming, perhaps coming next Thursday versus the Miami Heat, there are brighter times ahead.

Newcomer Andre Drummond played a major role in beating the Bucks Saturday night.

Drummond, who came along with Seth Curry from the Sixers in the James Harden trade, dropped 17 points, 12 rebounds, five dimes, two steals and a block. That lone block was of the monster variety, tracking down a sure-fire layup by Giannis and sending it out of bounds in crunch time.

Not long after, it was his teammate James Johnson who caught up to Bobby Portis attempting a corner triple with another huge block. And it's a good thing he did, since Portis already had 30 points on 8-of-14 from distance. That might have been a game-saving play by the former Miami Heat forward.

The Nets' defense came up clutch in a game where the total scores crept up very high with an NCAA-style foul-parade of an ending. The final was 126-123.

Brooklyn had an explosive third quarter where they dropped 43 points. Many of their buckets came as highlights for Irving's reel.

Brooklyn won the points-in-the-paint battle even though Giannis can often be a one-man wrecking crew in that category.

Kyrie Irving was absolutely electric. It was the fifth time he has cracked the 30-point mark of the season in just 15 games played. Irving had a season-high 38 points on top of five assists, five rebounds, two steals and drained a number of clutch free throws down the stretch.

It obviously meant something extra for Irving to win this one. It was his first game back in Milwaukee after suffering the ankle injury that knocked him out of the playoffs a season ago. That fateful play may have even cost the Nets a championship, and Kyrie seemed to throw some shade at Giannis for the play.

“It was definitely emotional, for me to prepare for this game,” Irving admitted. “Just because [of the injury] I haven't been back in this building since then, and I try my best not to wear my emotions on my face or my shoulders but sometimes they get the best of me. But it definitely felt like there was a weight lifted just being back here, being healthy, getting the win, and knowing that there's a possibility we can see them down the line again.”

NBA fans would have to be on the edge of their seats if they got to see more of this budding rivalry between the Nets and the Bucks. And let's face it, Kyrie is always must-see TV. Some players may not play as well when emotional. Clearly, Irving harnessed that passion to bury the Bucks on Saturday.