Members of the NYPD and other law enforcement agencies work near the scene of a subway shooting in Brooklyn April 12, 2022, where at least 10 people were shot during the morning rush hour. Seth Harrison/The Journal News via USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brooklyn subway shooting casts dark cloud over Cavaliers-Nets play-in game

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/12/22

The Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers for Tuesday evening's pivotal NBA play-in tournament game, but even those involved with the matchup had more important things on their minds earlier in the day.

As noted by NBC New York and other outlets, at least 10 individuals were shot by a man inside of a Brooklyn subway station on Tuesday morning. CNN adds that a minimum of 16 people were hurt as a result of the incident that ESPN's Nick Friedell tweeted occurred "about half a mile from" the Nets' practice facility.

As of early Tuesday afternoon, the prime-time contest between the Nets and Cavaliers remained scheduled as planned to take place at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. According to Yelena Dzhanova of Business Insider, the New York City Police Department intends "to flood the transit system with uniforms" well before tipoff of the game, per retired NYPD captain James Dooley.

Nets superstar Kevin Durant reacted to the news while speaking with reporters.

KD on the subway shooting: “It’s devastating … I hate violence. I hate senseless violence — you hope and pray for the best for everybody involved.” He said he found out on the way to the Nets facility and then saw the sirens and helicopters nearby.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 12, 2022

A somber scene at the Nets facility. Staffers watching coverage of the subway shooting on the TVs just off the practice floor. Helicopters flying around the area as cell phones buzz warning about what’s going on outside. Subway stop is about half a mile from Nets facility.
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) April 12, 2022

The winner of Tuesday's showdown earns the conference's No. 7 seed and a berth in a first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics. The loser will host the winner of the play-in game between the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets on Friday for the East's No. 8 seed and the right to face the top-seeded Miami Heat.

As for basketball-related news, the Cavaliers already know they'll be without All-Star center Jarrett Allen due to the fractured left middle finger that's kept him out of action for over a month.

More must-reads: