Even without Kyrie Irving in the lineup, the Nets destroyed the Warriors 129-88 on Wednesday night, marking the most lopsided victory for Brooklyn in the history of Barclays Center.
The Nets' 41-point margin of victory is the largest for the team since the 2009 season, when the Nets defeated the Nuggets by 44 points, with a final score of 114-70.
One of the biggest storylines for the game was that D'Angelo Russell made his return to Brooklyn, appearing as a visitor for the first time since this past offseason's sign-and trade deal that sent him to Golden State and brought Kevin Durant to Brooklyn.
Russell scored 17 points on the night, but he was very inefficient, going 7-of-20 from the floor, including 0-of-8 from three-point territory. The game quickly got out of hand, which isn't much of surprise considering Golden State has an NBA-worst record of 12-40. Russell ended up as a -48 on the night, the worst plus/minus of any NBA player this season, as the Nets controlled the game from start to finish.
After the final whistle, Russell hugged many of his former teammates, showing no ill will for his former squad. Meanwhile, Durant also shared an embrace with Steph Curry.
All is good in the neighborhood.
- Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) February 6, 2020
(Videos via @NetsOnYES) pic.twitter.com/MSYY1Ae8mX
Russell's name continues to be floated in trade rumors, with the Knicks remaining interested. According to SNY Insider Ian Begley, there are some in the Knicks' front office who are hesitant to trade the multiple first-round picks that it would likely cost to acquire the 24-year-old All-Star.