Kyrie Irving expected to play vs. Cavaliers after 7-game absence for 'family and personal stuff'
Kyrie Irving is finally back.
After a seven-game absence, Irving is back with the Brooklyn Nets and his teammates. Head coach Steve Nash told the media on Tuesday that Irving practiced with the team and expects him to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Nets coach Steve Nash says he expects Kyrie Irving to play Wednesday against Cleveland after rejoining the team today for a full practice
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 19, 2021
Kyrie’s absence due to personal matters
Irving spoke to the media on Tuesday and revealed a few details about why he was away from the team, but characteristically kept most of the information to himself. He would only say that he had “a lot of family and personal stuff going on,” and that he’s been affected by “everything going on in the world.”
Kyrie Irving on his absence:
"A lot of family and personal stuff going on, I just want to leave it at that" pic.twitter.com/gQsz2mQyLy— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021
Kyrie Irving said he needed a "pause." "With everything going on in the world, it's hard to ignore." #nets
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) January 19, 2021
As for his relationship with his teammates, Irving said that they supported him throughout his time away, and he’s had a conversation with all of them since returning. He also apologized to the fans for being away.
Kyrie Irving - “very excited to be back with my teammates. They had my back and supported me and my family. I take full accountability for my actions. Had a conversation with each and everyone of them. I want to apologize to the fans. I just needed a pause. @BrooklynNets #Nets pic.twitter.com/bf8mA6WGcC
— Bruce Beck (@BruceBeck4NY) January 19, 2021
Irving was asked about whether he knew that he was violating the NBA’s health and safety protocols when he was recorded at a party without a face mask. He wouldn’t comment on that, saying “it’s time to move on.”
Kyrie Irving when asked if he knew he violated the NBA's health and safety protocols:
"It's time to move on. Happy to be back" pic.twitter.com/uNPnj2d2lW— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021
At the end of the news conference, Irving spoke about needing help to balance everything that’s been happening in his life and in the world. He took the step to reach out for help, and got more back than he thought he would.
Kyrie spoke for more than 10 minutes and seemed to get emotional at the end. "I'm just being honest here. It's been a ot to balance. I called for help, now I have so many mentors reaching out and taking things off my plate that were never mine in the first place."
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) January 19, 2021
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