Opinion: Nets' Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving show flashes of offensive brilliance in first game together

We know Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving can play together. We saw that in six games at the start of the season. We know Durant and James Harden can play together. We just saw that in two games with the Brooklyn Nets. But what we don’t know just yet: Can Irving and Harden can co-exist while playing alongside Durant?

The answer to that portion of the equation won’t reveal itself in one game in January against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But since we’re here, the first look at Brooklyn’s new Big 3, with Irving rejoining the team after a seven-game absence, generated offensive firepower that presents problems for the defense. No surprise.

In Brooklyn’s 147-135 double overtime loss against the Cavs on Wednesday, Durant had 38 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Irving scored 37 points and Harden delivered 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

"Playing with Kevin Durant, James Harden, just those names alone right now, we’re having some fun," Irving said. "But it’s not just about us, and I’ll always says that. We’ll have good nights, we’ll have great nights, but it’s how we galvanize this group and sacrifice and compromise for the greater good. That still remains to be seen. One game is out of the way, but I’m excited for what’s to come."

Cleveland’s Collin Sexton ruined Brooklyn’s Big 3 debut with 42 points, including 22 points in the two overtimes and 15 in the second.

Before the game, Nets coach Steve Nash said he was focused on the process and not the outcome.

"You get great players, you want to make it simple," he said. "You want to have great spacing, allow them opportunities to be creative and use their skills, and the second layer of that is to make each other better and to feel a sense of sacrifice and connectivity.

"I don’t want to get all mystical or philosophical, but how joyful and pure can we make the game and not worry about who gets the most shots, who leads the team, who handles the ball, but how can we play beautiful basketball together and not worry about the minutia."

And that ultimately is the concern: Will three ball-dominant scorers be happy with fewer points, fewer shots and fewer possessions? Will victories alone provide that joy?

On Wednesday, it was ego-less basketball — at least from this view — with opportunities to go around. It’s obvious Durant, Irving and Harden will get open shots or create their own shots, and Irving and Harden shared primary play-making duties from the "point guard" spot.

It’s easy to envision scenarios the rest of the season where Durant, Harden and Irving all score 20 or more points and games where two of three go for 30 or more.

Irving took advantage of his chances with 17 points in the first half on 8-for-10 shooting. Durant had 11 points, six assists and five rebounds in the opening two quarters, and Harden, one of the game’s most gifted scorers, didn’t register his first points until two free throws with 18.6 seconds left in the first half.

But Harden impacted the game in other ways. He had five assists in the first half, including four in the first quarter, and in the second half, he found his scoring.

The Nets made their first 10 shots, and the defensive attention given to Durant, Harden and Irving created shots for teammates. DeAndre Jordan’s eight first-half points came on dunks (the lobs will be there), Jeff Green (16 points) made four threes, and while he was just 2-for-7 on 3-pointers, Joe Harris will find himself open on outside often.

"I like who we are," Durant said. "I like what the camaraderie that we have and the building and the communication from the coaching staff to the players is at a high level, so I’m looking forward to it."

Turnovers are an area of concern. The Nets, who are 25th in turnovers per game, had 16 against the Cavs, including 10 in the first half. That follows up 17 turnovers on Monday and 19 on Saturday, including nine by Harden and six by Durant.

Brooklyn's starters combined for 125 of its 135 points, so bench help is required.

And as much offense as the Nets can generate, their defense needs to tighten up. Cleveland ranks last in offensive efficiency and had 87 points through three quarters. Will the Nets be able to stop anyone when it matters?

"We know we have a very offensive team right now," Nash said. "We have to find ways to defend, to get connected, to be on the same page and that’s going to take some time. ... That’s got to be part of our game we’re going to have to focus on the most going forward."

While one game doesn’t answer everything, it provided clues.

Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.