JAN 12: The Nets have announced that point guard Kyrie Irving will officially be available to play tonight, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN (Twitter link).
JAN 11: Nets guard Kyrie Irving is looking to return for Sunday’s home bout against the league-worst Hawks, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (Twitter link). It would be Irving’s first game since injuring his right shoulder on November 14 against the Nuggets. The Hawks hold an 8-31 record this season.
After receiving a cortisone shot on Christmas Eve to treat the shoulder, Irving was able to return to 5-on-5 contact drills during a Nets team practice on Thursday. He told ESPN’s Malika Andrews then that he hoped to return to the hardwood within the week.
Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (Twitter link) that the Nets hold a 13-13 record without Irving, including going a middling 4-8 against teams with a record above .500. Spencer Dinwiddie emerged as a legitimate All-Star candidate with his play for Brooklyn during Irving’s extended absence. The Nets were 4-7 in the 11 games they played with Irving.
Going to that game tonight. I’m looking forward to Kyrie’s comeback. I’m also wondering if they’ll show a video tribute to Vince Carter since he just joined/created the NBA’s four decade club.
The Nets realistically can’t trade Kyrie w/o alienating KD but are the Nets better with letting Spencer start and trading Kyrie? Kyrie for a 3-d guy and some first rounders? Not saying that trade math works but you get my point I hope
Nobody is giving up a first for this guy.
It probably wouldn’t make that much of a difference anyway since KD is never going to be the same elite player anymore after his injury.
Kyrie causally milked his injury while the team was playing well without him and as soon as they go on a 7 game losing streak he is all the sudden able to play and comeback and be the “hero”
And they beat the worst team in the NBA. Good job Kyrie!
Spencer and him started tonight together. It will be interesting to see how that works.
It would be best if Dins was the floor leader, and took fewer shots. This return could go in a variety of directions but probably a better one as the Nets had a losing record before Irving’s injury.
Not sure what Irving’s motivations or goals are… he may have ligered over his injury, possibly looking at next year.