Nets cruise in Irving’s return

Kyrie Irving scored 21 points in 20 minutes of an easy return from a two-month absence with an injured right shoulder, leading the Nets to a 108-86 victory over the Hawks on Sunday in New York.

Irving shot 10-for-11 from the field after missing 26 games with an impingement. The shoulder looked fine and his handle looked as good as ever while he dribbled his way around a hopeless Hawks defense.

Energized by his return that still seemed a ways away just a week ago, the Nets led by 39 points and won their second straight after dropping seven in a row.

Cam Reddish scored 20 points for the Hawks, who were without high-scoring guard Trae Young because of a left hamstring injury and lost their fourth straight.

Jazz win 9th straight: Bojan Bogdonovic scored 31 points, Rudy Gobert added 21 points and 14 rebounds and the Jazz beat the host Wizards 127-116 for their ninth straight win.

The Jazz overcame a 15-point deficit in the third quarter to win for the the 14th time in 15 games. Jordan Clarkson added 17 of his 23 points in the second half for the Jazz.

Jazz scoring leader Donovan Mitchell sat out because of an illness.

Bradley Beal scored 25 points for the Wizards after missing five games with right leg soreness.