NBA: Irving returns in Cavs win, Kings upstage Raptors
The Cleveland Cavaliers had Kyrie Irving on the floor for the first time this season as they accounted for the hapless Philadelphia 76ers 108-86 in the NBA.
Irving fractured his left kneecap in game one of the NBA Finals in June but he made his long-awaited return on Sunday, posting 12 points in 17 minutes.
The three-time NBA All-Star was five-of-12 from the field and added four assists to go with two steals as the Cavs condemned the Sixers to a 10th consecutive defeat.
“Kind of been a long, long road, but finally getting out there with my team-mates was a pleasure,” Irving said afterwards.
The Cavs were led by LeBron James (23 points) and Matthew Dellavedova (20 points) in Cleveland, while Nerlens Noel (15 points, 12 rebounds) starred for the Sixers.
Rajon Rondo and Rudy Gay helped the Sacramento Kings past the Toronto Raptors 104-94.
Rondo scored 19 points and tallied 13 assists in his fourth successive double-double display, and Gay had 19 points of his own as the Kings won for the fourth time in five games.
DeMar DeRozan was the pick of the Raptors players with a game-high 28 points.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks rallied to beat the Orlando Magic 103-100.
Kyle Korver inspired the comeback after scoring 13 of his 19 points in the final quarter.
The Miami Heat downed the Portland Trail Blazers 116-109 and the Phoenix Suns lost 101-95 to the Milwaukee Bucks.
Anthony Davis finished with 27 points as the New Orleans Pelicans saw off the Denver Nuggets 130-125 and the Minnesota Timberwolves were too good for the Brooklyn Nets 100-85.
