Former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images
Former Celtics guard Kyrie Irving
While spending the 2025-2026 NBA season rehabbing, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has plenty of time to reflect.
On Thursday, March 19, Irving came across a four-day-old X post that brought up a memory of one of Irving’s biggest games.
After seeing the post about his historic game for the Brooklyn Nets, Irving reacted with an indirect shoutout to Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo.
Kyrie Irving Recalls Making Brooklyn Nets History
Kyrie Irving
GettyKyrie Irving continues to heal from an ACL tear.
via HistoryOnRead on X: On this day in 2022, Kyrie scored the most points in a game in Nets history.
Kyrie Irving quote posted: Shoulda went for 85! lol
Recently, NBA history was made by Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo. In a March 10 game against the Washington Wizards, Adebayo checked in for nearly 42 minutes.
He shot 20-43 from the field and 36-43 from the charity stripe. The star big man scored 83 points, while contributing nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
With that scoring total, Adebayo became the first player to score more than Kobe Bryant’s 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
Adebayo is now etched in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in a single game.
As dynamic a scorer as Irving is, he hasn’t teased that kind of scoring night in his career.
What Is Kyrie Irving’s Career-High?
Kyrie Irving, Los Angeles Lakers
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 01: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets dribbles against the Boston Celtics during the first half at TD Garden on February 01, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Kyrie Irving’s 60 points with the Brooklyn Nets in March 2022 is the highest single-game total of his career. It’s an impressive feat that he shares with many players.
Among those active are De’Aaron Fox, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jayson Tatum, Bradley Beal, James Harden, and Klay Thompson.
Some other active players to exceed 60 are Jalen Brunson, LeBron James, Devin Booker, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Donovan Mitchell.
Irving has been in the NBA since 2011. He was the first-overall pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers coming out of Duke.
During a six-year stint with the Cavs, Irving appeared in 381 games. He was the Rookie of the Year in 2012 and made the All-Star team as a sophomore.
Irving averaged 21.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.3 steals during his run with the Cavaliers. The veteran guard went to the Boston Celtics after the 2016-2017 season. Irving spent a quick two seasons with the Celtics, leaving on a bad note.
The Brooklyn Nets had high hopes for Kyrie Irving in New York. He was a part of one of the most prominent super teams in NBA history, but it didn’t result in any championships.
In year four with the Nets, Irving was moved to the Dallas Mavericks.
Since joining the Mavs, Irving has averaged 25.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. He played in 128 games before going down with an ACL tear last year.
While there were plenty of rumors about Irving’s potential 2025-2026 debut happening in the spring this year, the Mavericks’ struggles ultimately led Irving to spend the rest of the season recovering, without putting himself at further risk of reinjury.