From a scoring perspective, Kyrie Irving had a relatively quiet game in the Nets season finale against the Cavaliers. However, it was enough to make NBA history.
The 6'2" guard joined the NBA's elite 50-40-90 club, becoming the ninth player ever and the first since Malcolm Brogdon in 2018-19 to achieve the feat of shooting at least 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent from the free-throw line.
Kyrie Irving joins Larry Bird (1986-87, 1987-88), Stephen Curry (2015-16) and Kevin Durant (2012-13) as the only players to average 25 PPG in a 50-40-90 season pic.twitter.com/jw1EbYqG11
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 17, 2021
In the comfortable 123-109 win for the Nets, Irving scored 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field and a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also finished this game with six rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two steals.
The perfect shooting from long range is what sealed it for Irving as he came into the final game with a 3-point efficiency of 39.2 percent.
His shooting splits for this season through 54 games - 50.6 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from 3-point range and 92.2 percent from the charity stripe - are all career-highs (tied in the case of his free-throw percentage).
'Kyrie (Irving) was incredible this year," said Nets head coach Steve Nash, who's recorded a 50-40-90 an NBA record four times, postgame. "So efficient. Such a talented player who just makes incredible shots every night."
Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving joining the 50-40-90 club:
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 17, 2021
"Remarkable player, remarkable accomplishment, and really proud that I could see it first-hand" pic.twitter.com/7oyPdLOXB1
Irving's season average of 26.9 points, just shy of his career mark of 27.4, ranks among the top 10 in the league.
What's more impressive is that his 50.6 percent is while he is making a career-best 10.2 field goals per game. The same can be said for his long-range efficiency as his 40.2 percent comes while knocking down a career-high 2.8 3-pointers on a near career-best 7.0 attempts.
"Point guards that get 50/40/90 are just so much more impressive to me," said teammate Kevin Durant, who also achieved the 50-40-90 feat back in 2012-13, postgame. "Sure this won’t be his last time.”
Kevin Durant welcomes Kyrie Irving to the 50-40-90 club:
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) May 17, 2021
"Point guards that get 50-40-90 are just so much more impressive to me" pic.twitter.com/3kX9tccFT4
With the win, the Nets wrap up the season with a 48-24 record - good for second in the Eastern Conference - and a 66.7 winning percentage which is their best since 2001-02.
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