The hype and excitement of Kyrie Irving's return to Barclay's fell apart at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets. Fresh off what felt like a statement win over the Miami Heat on Saturday night, Brooklyn stumbled, dropping the season series to Hornets and a playoff spot as well. Kyrie Irving never found his rhythm and Kevin Durant was unable to bring another big performance to lift the Nets. There were familiar themes in this game as the Brooklyn struggled to close out on perimeter shooters and once again became baffled at the sight of a zone defense. In a season with so few games remaining, this loss takes the mantle of the worst defeat of the season.

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