Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving Scores 20 Points and Dishes Nine Assists, Kevin Durant Exits with Injury

Kevin Durant left Sunday's game, and Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and dished out nine assists.

Currently fifth in the latest MVP tracker from Basketball-Reference, Kyrie Irving scored 20 points and dished out nine assists on Sunday against the Heat in Miami.

The Nets lost Kevin Durant to injury in the first quarter, and players such as Irving and Landry Shamet, who had 30 points, stepped up. Yet, the Nets tied with the Heat 107-107 in the game's final seconds, lost on a walk-off buzzer-beater by Heat center Bam Adebayo.

On the season, Irving is averaging 27.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. While he has missed 16 games this season, if he can continue this kind of output while remaining in the lineup, his MVP case will continue to grow.

Durant, a former MVP, is not in the conversation this season due to missing so many games, but fellow Nets star Harden is second on the MVP tracker.

Irving has never won MVP, and while it is unlikely this season, there is still a possibility if he can step up when Harden and Durant miss time.

Other Pacers stories to check out

• SLICK LEONARD DIES: Bobby "Slick'' Leonard was the Indiana Pacers and his attachment to the franchise as a coach and broadcaster last nearly five decades. CLICK HERE
• Pacers drop second in a row on Sunday in Atlanta against the Hawks: The Pacers fell 129-117 to the Hawks on Sunday. Myles Turner made his return to the lineup but, the Pacers could not contain the Hawks led by Clint Capela's 24 rebounds and Trae Young's 34 points. CLICK HERE