NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving will not be traveling with the Brooklyn Nets on their upcoming three-game road trip while dealing with a family issue, the team announced Monday morning.
Irving will miss Brooklyn’s games against the Trail Blazers, Jazz and Pistons.
The Nets are already too short. Kevin Durant has been sidelined with a hamstring since Feb. 13, but is getting closer to his return, said coach Steve Nash. They will also be without Landry Shamet, who has emerged as a major player of the bank. Shamet sprained his right ankle against the Wizards on Sunday and will not go with the team on Monday, although his MRI showed no significant damage, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Irving played in and out of the Nets lineup this season, playing in 31 of their 43 games. He missed two weeks in January due to personal absence. During that time away from the team, Irving broke the league’s COVID-19 protocols, further delaying his return to court. Irving was fined for failing to follow coronavirus security guidelines. Upon his return, Irving told reporters he “just needed a break.”
Since then, Irving has missed four games due to injury maintenance.
Irving has averaged 28.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists this season.