James Harden returns vs. Bulls with 25 points, season-high 16 assists
Brooklyn got its 3 superstars back Wednesday night in a blowout win over Chicago.
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CHICAGO (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets got their three superstars back Wednesday night and earned an easy 138-112 win over the Chicago Bulls.
James Harden was ready after missing Brooklyn’s 114-108 loss at Portland on Monday because of a hyperextended left knee. So was Kyrie Irving after a sprained left ankle threw his status into question.
With those two joining Kevin Durant, the Nets had their Big Three on full display for just a second time this season in a showdown against the East’s top two teams.
The @BrooklynNets take home the big W behind @JHarden13's HUGE night!
25 PTS, 7 REB and a season-high 16 AST pic.twitter.com/z5num2I4N0
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2022
Durant scored 27 points and Harden added another 25 along with a season-high 16 assists, while Irving scored nine in his third game of 2021-22. The seven-time All-Star has refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine and is barred from suiting up in New York due to the city’s mandate.
Durant had 17 points in the third. The second-place Nets outscored East-leading Chicago by 20 in the quarter to silence a raucous crowd and came away with the win with all three superstars in the lineup.
The Nets also avoided a three-game sweep by the Bulls.
