Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving didn’t play against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday-evening for personal reasons.
An hour and 45 minutes before the tip, coach Steve Nash said he “just found out” Irving wouldn’t be playing.
“I’ve been messaging him for the past half hour and haven’t heard anything,” Nash said. But think clearly about him and hope everything turns out okay. It’s a private matter. ‘
Kevin Durant, who is in quarantine after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, was also out against the Sixers. Nash said if Durant continues to test negative, he could be available to play in Sunday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Nets were also without Tyler Johnson, who has been placed in the competition’s health and safety protocols. Nash said Johnson has not tested positive for the coronavirus but is not playing while going through contact tracking. It has nothing to do with Durant, Nash said.
Nic Claxton (knee tendinopathy), Spencer Dinwiddie (partially torn right ACL), and Reggie Perry (left groin pain) were also out for Brooklyn.