NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving will not be traveling with the Brooklyn Nets on his next three-game road trip while dealing with a family affair, the team announced Monday morning.
Irving will miss the Brooklyn games against the Trail Blazers, Jazz and Pistons.
Networks are already abbreviated. Kevin Durant has been out of action since Feb. 13 with hamstring strain but is getting closer and closer to returning, coach Steve Nash said. They will also be without Landry Shamet, who has become a key player on the bench. Shamet sprained his right ankle against the Wizards on Sunday and will not travel with the team on Monday, although his MRI showed no significant damage, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Irving has been in and out of the Nets’ lineup this season, having played in 31 of his 43 games. He missed two weeks in January due to a personal absence. During this time out of the team, Irving broke the league’s COVID-19 protocols, further delaying his return to court. Irving was fined for failing to follow the league’s coronavirus safety guidelines. On his return, Irving told reporters he “just needed a break.”
Since then, Irving has lost four games due to injury maintenance.
This season, Irving makes 28.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists.