And just like that, the Brooklyn Nets are out of the NBA Playoffs. In what has been nothing but a tumultuous season for the star-studded squad, getting swept out of the first round seems like an appropriate end. No matter how harsh that sounds.
The Nets got defeated by the Boston Celtics in Game 4 on Monday, 116-112, with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving once again struggling to figure out the defense. While they combined for 59 points, they only shot 19-of-44 from the field.
After a spectacular Game 1, Irving's play skidded in the last three games, averaging just a little over 15 points on 37.2% shooting from the floor, according to StatMusk (we see what you did there).
Kyrie Irving since Game 1:
15.3 PPG
37.2 FG%
2-11 3P pic.twitter.com/eU37scjkmL— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 26, 2022
Prior to Game 4, Irving, who converted to Muslim, was asked by reporters about his fasting for Ramadan affecting his play. The Nets guard said he doesn't want to use it as an excuse. He accepted that he just had to be better.
Well, he wasn't that better on Monday, ending up with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Although he shot more efficiently with 6-of-13 field goals.
Ramadan started on April 1 and will end on May 1. It's hard not to imagine the Nets All-Star getting weaker and more worn out as his fasting continued. But kudos to him for trying to soldier on, regardless of the outcome.
It's an anticlimactic end to what was a season filled with high hopes, wherein the Nets were even tagged as the favorites to win the NBA title. Now, they will head into the offseason with some baggage of discontent.
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