Nets didn’t waste any time playing Kyrie Irving heavy minutes

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Kyrie Irving returned from his hamstring injury in time for Thursday’s national TV game against the Lakers and former teammate LeBron James. And Irving went right back to carrying the load, for better or worse, leading the Nets with 20 points in a team-high 33:13.

Irving’s minus-26 was the worst of any player on the floor, but Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said he thought the point guard looked fine. He did admit managing his strong-willed star’s minutes will be an ongoing challenge.

“He was good. He made the right plays. They tried to take the ball out of his hands. Smart strategy by them. Kyrie, to his credit, for the most part he makes the right play out of the blitz,” Atkinson said…