Nets, without Irving and Durant, beat NBA-leading 76ers

Joe Harris scored a season-high 28 points and Brooklyn Nets, playing without Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, beat NBA-leading Philadelphia 76ers 122-109 on Thursday night.

Without ir two superstars in uniform — blue uniforms, a throwback to 30 years ago in New Jersey — Nets jumped out quickly and had a double-digit lead for much of second half while winning ir second straight, both without Durant.

Caris LeVert had 22 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, and Jarrett Allen added 15 points and 11 boards for Nets.

Irving was ruled out Thursday afteron for personal reasons, though coach Steve Nash said before game he hadn't spoken to his point guard and didn't kw reason for his absence, calling it a personal matter.

Nets already knew y’d be without Durant for a second consecutive game because of NBA’s health and safety protocols. Nash said Durant would be able to return Sunday if he continues to test negative for coronavirus until n.

76ers came in at 7-1 and off ir best performance of season, when y shot an NBA season-high 61.7% in a 141-136 victory over Washington on Wednesday.

But y couldn't come close to duplicating that, with Joel Embiid starting slowly before finishing with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Shake Milton had a season-high 24 points in his first start of season in place of Seth Curry, who had a sore left ankle, but Ben Simmons was limited to 11 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Irving, who grew up in New Jersey, missed chance to wear Nets' uniforms y wore while playing re. ir blue uniforms were a throwback to tie-dye ones y wore during 1990-91 season. franchise switched to black and white after moving to Brooklyn in 2012.

Sixers quickly fell into a 20-8 hole, but recovered to move into lead early in second quarter. Nets broke away again late in period, going up by 16 before taking a 65-51 lead to locker room, and were never seriously threatened afterward.

TIP-INS

76ers: Dwight Howard had an eventful night, totaling nine points, 12 rebounds and six fouls in just 16 minutes. ... Coach Doc Rivers said he believed Curry was hurt late in Wednesday's victory, when guard scored a season-high 28 points. Rivers didn't believe injury was severe but said it was best to rest Curry.

Nets; Brooklyn was also without G Tyler Johnson because of health and safety protocols. Nash said he believed it was due to contact tracing. ... Jeff Green scored 14 points.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Nets: Visit Memphis Grizzlies on Friday to complete ir second back-to-back set of season.

Im credits: AP