NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving will not be traveling with the Brooklyn Nets on their three-game trip while dealing with a family affair, the team announced Monday morning.
Irving will miss Brooklyn’s games against the Trail Blazers, Jazz and Pistons.
The Nets are already short of players. Kevin Durant has been out since February 13 due to a tendon strain, but is close to returning, said coach Steve Nash. They will also be left without Landry Shamet, who has emerged as a key player off the bench. Shamet sprained his right ankle against the Wizards on Sunday and will not travel with the team on Monday, although his MRI scan showed no significant damage, ESPN sources said Adrian Wojnarowski.
Irving has been on and off the Nets team this season, having played 31 of his 43 games. He lost two weeks in January due to a personal absence. During that time away from the team, Irving broke the league’s COVID-19 protocols, which further delayed his return to the court. Irving was fined for failing to follow the league’s coronavirus safety guidelines. Upon returning, Irving told reporters that “he just needed a break”.
Since then, Irving has lost four games to injury maintenance.
Irving has averaged 28.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season.