Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets point guard, did not play Thursday night against the Philadelphia 76ers for personal reasons.
Speaking to reporters an hour and 45 minutes before the start, coach Steve Nash said he “just found out” that Irving would not play.
“I sent him a message in the last half hour and I still don’t know,” Nash said. “But obviously, thinking about it and I hope everything is fine. It’s a private matter.”
Kevin Durant, who is in quarantine after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, was also against the Sixers. Nash said if Durant remains negative, he could be available to play Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nets also didn’t have Tyler Johnson, who has been included in the league’s safety and health protocols. Nash said Johnson has not tested positive for coronavirus, but does not play while going through contact tracking. It has nothing to do, Nash said, with Durant being out.
Nic Claxton (knee tendinopathy), Spencer Dinwiddie (partially torn right ACL) and Reggie Perry (left groin pain) also came out in Brooklyn.