When James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in mid-January, the offensive norm he had in mind was Monday night’s 136-125 win over the Sacramento Kings.
“This was the vision here – this game itself,” said Harden. “From top to bottom, it doesn’t matter when your number is called, you have to be willing to come in and contribute whatever it takes. I think every individual man has that mindset, and it already has a championship-level team. “
The Nets tied at 27 3-pointers in Sacramento, setting a franchise record and falling two short of the Milwaukee Bucks milestone. Seven of the nine Nets that played Monday collected a 3.
Harden had 29 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists. It was his fifth triple-double since joining the Nets – already the most 20-point triple-doubles in franchise history by Elias Sports Bureau, surpassing Jason Kidd.
Kyrie Irving, who dropped 40 points and shot 15-of-22, led the way for the Nets. He ended up shooting 9-of-11 from outside the arc. According to research from ESPN Stats & Information, Irving and Harden were together to score or assist at 112 points on Monday.
“It’s a movie,” Harden said of Irving. ‘It’s like a show. Sometimes I forget that I am on the field. He makes them look so effortless. That’s one of the reasons I’m here. ‘
Irving’s nine three-pointers were the second most in a game of his career. He declined to speak to reporters after the game.
“He’s a magician with the ball,” Nets forward Jeff Green said of Irving. “I’ve said it before, and I love watching him when he’s in that zone. He’s a great player and I’m glad I’m on his side and not on the other this year. now click on the correct cylinders. “
The Nets’ previous record of 24 3-pointers made was set in 2018 against the Chicago Bulls. Against the Kings, Green balanced that franchise standard with an above-the-break 3, assisted by Harden with just over eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Harden soon afterwards darkened the Nets’ previous mark with a 7.5 meter 3 on a pass from Green.
“That’s the kind of offensive output we’re capable of,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said after the game. “For us it’s really the defense we’re trying to keep working with.”