NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Brooklyn Nets:

Offense: (105.5) 25th
Defense: (106.8) 11th
Net: (minus 1.3) 17th

Games Week 12 (2-2): Won vs. Heat: 117-113, Lost vs. Magic: 89-101, Thunder: 103-111 (OT),  Sun vs Hawks
Games Week 13 (3 games): Tues vs Jazz | Weds at 76ers | Sat vs Bucks

It was only about a week ago that Kyrie Irving implied he could be out a long time then last week he stated a week or two was his goal. Cut to week 12 and prior to the match on Sunday versus the Hawks the Nets dropped this on social media…

https://twitter.com/BrooklynNets/status/1216448687427215360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1216448687427215360&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fclutchpoints.com%2Fnets-news-kyrie-irving-officially-returning-vs-hawks%2F

BOOM!

For someone who claims to be annoyed by media and too much interference in his life, Irving sure does seem to enjoy the drama. Oddly, had he not spoken to the media last week his return would simply have been a pleasant surprise.

Now opponents know his shoulder impingement was bad enough to warrant surgery and for some of the more physical squads no doubt they’ll target that area.

But for the moment he excelled in his return displaying zero rust from the 26 games missed hitting 10 of his 11 shots.

Initially, the Nets performed well while Irving was out collecting nine wins through 12 games although only two were against teams with records above .500 (Celtics, Nuggets) and all three losses were against elite clubs (Pacers at Celtics, Heat).

But the burden on Dinwiddie began to take a toll and through the last 14 games, Irving was out the Nets registered a mere four wins although two were versus top East teams (76ers, Heat). Coming into the weekend the Nets were on a seven-game losing skid having lost two of those in overtime. Schedule played favor dishing up the Hawks on Friday and then the news Sunday.

Suffice to say Irving’s return couldn’t have come at a better time.