Nets’ Kyrie Irving sits out preseason game following birth of child

Kyrie Irving and Joe Harris joined T.J. Warren and Seth Curry on the listing of sidelined Nets for his or her preseason sport Thursday evening in opposition to the shorthanded Warmth at Barclays Middle. However Nets followers scarred from final season don’t want to fret.

Irving’s absence was a joyous one. He and fiancée Marlene Wilkerson have been celebrating the beginning Wednesday of their new child. It was Irving’s third little one and second with Wilkerson — a YouTube influencer and way of life vlogger — after their child boy in June 2021. Irving arrived and watched the Nets’ 109-80 loss from the baseline.

Harris was listed as out with a sore foot, however it was actually simply upkeep after the small ahead was restricted to only 14 video games final season as a consequence of ankle accidents. He had not one, however two surgical procedures, and the preseason opener Monday was his first reside motion since final November.

Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant
Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant
USA TODAY Sports activities

The Nets’ subsequent sport might be Wednesday at Milwaukee. Coach Steve Nash wouldn’t decide to a timeline on the return of both Irving or Harris.

“No not likely. Kyrie, I don’t suppose he’s obtained a lot sleep the final couple of nights … however [there was] no level within the preseason on little sleep enjoying [versus the Heat],” mentioned Nash. “And Joe, simply being cautious. He’s had an extended layoff for the surgical procedure, and so hopefully it’s resolved rapidly. But it surely’s extra precautionary than something.

“Simply attempting to [be safe]. I hope it’s not like a lingering factor. I feel it’s only a precaution. He’s a little bit sore and we simply need to ensure he will get the correct restoration so he can come again to full energy.”


Kessler Edwards changed Harris within the beginning lineup, whereas Royce O’Neale obtained the nod for Irving. Edwards had six factors on 1-for-7 capturing, together with 0-for-4 from 3-point vary. O’Neale had six factors and 4 boards, however added three turnovers and was minus-13.

Harris and O’Neale are a minimum of nominally locked in a battle for the fifth and remaining beginning spot to open video games alongside Irving, Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and presumably middle Nic Claxton.

Nonetheless, Nash steered away from the thought of a direct competitors for a beginning job.

“They’re each going to play so much,” mentioned Nash. “I don’t know if one is taking minutes from the opposite. I feel I really feel they're each going to play a number of minutes and play a giant position.”


Jimmy Butler was again for Miami after sitting out Tuesday versus the Timberwolves, however Victor Oladipo, Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin (knee) and Omer Yurtseven (ankle) have been all out.


Miami coach Erik Spolstra survived LeBron James’ reported early effort to get him fired in 2010, however he wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons to Nash’s scenario this summer time with Durant.

“I don’t actually pay a lot consideration to a number of issues that occurred in the course of the summer time,” Spoelstra mentioned. “There’s a number of completely different feelings that occurred after the season, and that’s why a number of instances the off season is simply good for everyone to get away and decompress after which begin over once more.

“And there’s been loads of examples within the league, the place issues occur and we get again collectively, and the video games occur and also you simply begin to begin the season and a number of issues are forgotten.”

The Nets signed guard Noah Kirkwood after the sport.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post