Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving did not play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night due to personal reasons.
Speaking to reporters an hour and 45 minutes before the report, coach Steve Nash said he “just found out” that Irving would not be playing.
“I texted him in the last half hour and still haven’t heard back,” said Nash. “But obviously thinking about him and I hope everything is fine. It’s a private matter.”
Kevin Durant, who is quarantined after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, was also eliminated against the Sixers. Nash said that if Durant continues to test negative, he may be available to play in Sunday’s game against Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nets were also without Tyler Johnson, who was placed in the league’s health and safety protocols. Nash said Johnson has not tested positive for coronavirus, but is not playing while doing contact tracking. It is not related, Nash said, to the fact that Durant is out.
Nic Claxton (knee tendinopathy), Spencer Dinwiddie (partially torn right ACL) and Reggie Perry (left groin pain) were also out of Brooklyn.