Kyrie Irving calls game: Nets star hits stunning game-winner against Raptors

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets broke the Toronto Raptors' hearts with a three-pointer at the buzzer. The score was all tied at 116 when the superstar guard hit a step back three over the flailing arms of Fred Van Vleet.

Irving paced the Nets in scoring with 32 points, none bigger than the the ones that ended the Raptors' night.

The shot completed a big comeback for the Nets, who trailed big after the first quarter. A huge third period outburst from Brooklyn helped them set up nicely for a seesaw fourth quarter.

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The back-and-forth ended with Irving's dagger three at the buzzer.

Kyrie Irving is best known in his career for having a clutch gene. He arguably made the biggest shot in NBA Finals history when he scored a game-changing three-pointer over Steph Curry during the 2016 Finals.

That ability to make the biggest basket showed up yet again on the road against the Toronto Raptors.

The Raptors knew the Nets were going to give the ball to either Kevin Durant or Irving for the last-second shot. Brooklyn expectedly gave the action to both elite scorers as the inbound play happened.

KD provided a perfect screen for Irving on the weak side to allow him enough space to work on top of the three-point line. Irving quickly went to work and decisively attempted to drive against VanVleet.

The deception worked as the Raptors’ point guard kept in step with Irving. VanVleet’s momentum carried him away as “Uncle Drew” stepped back to get just enough wiggle room to launch the game-winning shot.

Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets are on a roll

The Brooklyn Nets are now on a five-game winning run after beating the Toronto Raptors. They now hold an 18-12 record, which currently puts them in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

After falling to the Indiana Pacers on November 25, the Nets have since won nine of their last 10 games. They are the hottest team in the NBA right now, along with the Memphis Grizzlies.

If Brooklyn can sustain their current form, it should have an even better record starting next year.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

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Edited by Michael Macasero