The Nets will be without point guard Kyrie Irving for Game 5 vs. the Bucks on Tuesday, head coach Steve Nash told reporters today. Irving suffered a sprained right ankle in Brooklyn’s Game 4 loss on Sunday.
Irving underwent an MRI on his injured ankle today, but the Nets aren’t prepared to offer an exact recovery timeline, according to Malika Andrews of ESPN, who tweets that Nash said today he has “no idea” whether Kyrie will be able to return before the end of the series.
The Nets have already been playing since the first quarter of Game 1 without their other All-Star guard, James Harden, who suffered a right hamstring strain. Nash had no concrete update on Harden’s status, telling reporters that he was “working out” today, according to Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
[UPDATE: James Harden ruled out for Game 5]
If Harden remains unavailable for Game 5, the pressure will be on the Nets’ lone remaining star, Kevin Durant, to carry the scoring load, with the help of Joe Harris and Blake Griffin, among others. The club will also lean more heavily on guards Bruce Brown, Mike James, and possibly Landry Shamet.
The series is currently tied at two games apiece. Irving’s absence opens the door for the Bucks to potentially steal Game 5 in Brooklyn and set themselves up for a close-out Game 6 at home.
That looked nasty. I’m just glad it’s not worse. He’s out for two gms minimum. Harden is gone a hamstring don’t heal that quick. He’s been out of shape and tried a quick fix. It’s what you get for not knowing priorities in life. Nets are done. Bucks have lucked out. Hope Sixers just sweep them and just end it quick. Bucks don’t deserve to go to Finals.
bucks dont deserve to go to finals? lmao they had to play a superteam while sixers face the two weakest teams in the playoffs (Wizards,Hawks)
the clippers should get even more credit if they win the west. having to beat the best two teams and a mavs team with a MVP candidate
KD legacy game alert
Dude not 100% so unless he can play like he is . Nets will be in trouble
Agree Marty
Should be fun to watch
He’s playing on house money and will also have the home-crowd, ideal situation for him –
It’s not directly related to losing Kyrie and The Beard, but I really think Nash needs to give DJ a chance to wear Giannis down.
I think he’ll give him a shot. Not many options left to him at this point.