The facial contusion that Kyrie Irving suffered Tuesday night isn’t believed to be serious, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Irving was held out of Wednesday’s game, but the Nets are hoping he can return to the court this weekend.
Irving took an inadvertent elbow to the face from Bulls center Nikola Vucevic during the third quarter of Tuesday’s contest. He was down on the court for several minutes and was eventually ruled out of the game.
“Kyrie’s scans were clear fortunately,” coach Steve Nash said. “No concussion, nothing on the scans.”
There’s more from Brooklyn:
- Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin played Wednesday on the second end of a back-to-back, Lewis notes in the same piece. Although both veterans have a history of injuries, they want to focus on getting ready for the postseason. “Kevin wants to play and get his rhythm and continue to get back to his best, and then just feel comfortable heading into the playoffs,” Nash said. “So you’re trying to find that balance between where the risk is, but also where they feel most confident for the playoffs. So, it’s one of those things where I take a leap of faith in what would make them feel best and make them feel in rhythm and confident prepared and then at the same time, not risking anything.”
- James Harden, who had never missed more than 10 games in a season prior to 2020/21, acknowledged that he wasn’t sure what to expect upon returning this week from the longest absence of his career. However, as Lewis writes in a separate story for The New York Post, Harden also wasn’t surprised by his big game on Wednesday (18 points and 11 assists in 26 minutes). “Not really,” he said. “Not to brag or anything, but I’m really good at this game.”
- Owner Joe Tsai is taking advantage of the Nets’ success to seek new sponsorship deals for the team, but the name of the Barclays Center is unlikely to change, according to Brianna Lopez of the BK Reader.
- In case you missed it, Mike James – whose 10-day deal with the Nets expired overnight – is set to sign a rest-of-season contract with the team.
i dont like the Nets but i hope they stay healthy so we can get a good finals matchup. anyone in the West (Clippers,Lakers,Jazz) can give them a good run
I trust reporters will ask Harden if he’s surprised after he plays poorly in a game.
I enjoy this comment by Harden. He takes so much s**t from the media. This statement is true.
Lol agree. Don’t mind these guys being a little arrogant especially when it’s true.
You couldn’t put together a team of softer players if you were able to choose from everyone who ever played in the NBA.
They once said that kind of thing about Scottie Pippen. I think it’s unfair to expect players to play through injuries which have potential to end their career. Irving was in danger of concussion on that play, he was hit inadvertently, but hard.
Durant is such a gamer that he incurred an injury in the Finals which could have ended his career. Harden as the story indicates he has rarely missed games.
So I am not sure what prompts your comment other than dislike of the Nets, which is fair, but calling them soft is not. In fact, the players surrounding the Big3 (+2 if you count Griffin and Jordan) are some of the toughest ‘gamers’ you would want to see, having been developed in the era prior to the stars joining.
They actually have some good defenders on the team, and some over performers like Bruce Brown. Kyrie is always willing to take a charge, which is a particularly daring move considering the potential for injury.
Comments like this reflect the attitude that led to dozens (if not hundreds) of ex-football players (and other athletes) from all levels of play suffering from CTE before it could be identified (still don’t think they have a test to diagnose it on a living person). Sure it might’ve been fun to watch the smashmouth style in the ’70s and ’80s, but it ruined players’ and family members’ lives.
Agree. Toughness is also less relevant when you get to watch great basketball. Flopping is one thing, but guys taking care of themselves? Go watch UFC if that’s what’s missing from your life.
I don’t agree the Nets are soft, but to compare criticism of load management in the NBA to CTE in the NFL is really apples and oranges for a variety of reasons.
But mainly there’s just no evidence any aspect of playing basketball could ever cause the type of severe cognitive decline found in former NFL players.
Saying “Tough it out” through a sprained ankle and then a guy tears his ACL – ok, that’s bad for the guy’s career prospects.
But saying the same through constant helmet to helmet contact and multiple concussions has proven to essentially make former NFL players large bags of playdough after their careers are done.
TL;DR You can call an NBA player soft and not be a total a**hole. Not true for the NFL.