Nets guard LeVert posts 37-point finale in a 51-point career night
Brooklyn Nets 129, Boston Celtics 120
He’s not Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving, but Brooklyn Nets guard Caris LeVert produced a performance worthy of the superstar duo, scorching the Boston Celtics for a career-high 51 points in Boston.
LeVert scored 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, the most in the past 20 years in the NBA, as the Nets beat the Celtics 129-120. His late surge beat Latrell Sprewell’s 34 points in 2002 and Trae Young (2019) and Kobe Bryant (2007) on 33 points.
Brooklyn guard Caris LeVert shoots over his Boston opponents.Credit:AP
The Nets trailed by 21 points before LeVert caught fire, their victory ending a four-game losing streak.
The Nets are finishing the season without Irving (knee surgery) and Durant (Achilles recovery) so the likes of LeVert will have more chances to shine, especially as they remain in the playoff race, moving five-and-a-half games clear inside the Eastern conference top eight.
The Celtics were without all-star forward Jayson Tatum (sick) and had several other key players playing hurt, while post-game, guard Marcus Smart reportedly needed to be restrained after confronting the referees over a contentious late call which saw LeVert fouled on a three-point shot with the Nets down by three points.
Smart could face a fine and suspension, but the NBA has yet to announce if he faces any sanctions.
Durant showed his appreciation for the 25-year-old’s career night.
‘‘That 50 was beautiful, Vert. Thank you for that masterpiece,’’ Durant tweeted.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said his young guard stood up with Irving and Durant sidelined.
‘‘Not having those guys, obviously it’s not ideal, but we’ve also learned a lot about the team, learned a lot about our players,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘You learn a lot through these struggles and the fight, the desperate fight we’re going through to get in the dance. I look at it positively.’’
The Golden State Warriors (14-48) are enduring a season outside the play-off race, but their young guns earned a rare win, beating title-contenders Denver Nuggets 116-100 in Denver with recently-acquired forward Andrew Wiggins scoring 22 points and dishing out 10 assists. Rookie forward Eric Paschall added 22 points.
Superstar guard Steph Curry is approaching a return from a broken hand, and he scrimmaged with G-League affiliate Santa Cruz Warriors this week. He could return on Friday (AEDT) against Toronto Raptors or Sunday (AEDT) against Philadelphia 76ers.
Patty Mills had 13 points as the San Antonio Spurs beat Charlotte Hornets 104-103, while Anthony Davis scored 37 points as his Los Angeles Lakers beat Philadelphia 76ers 120-107 in LA.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid were both sidelined for the Sixers, losers of nine straight road games.