Why is Kyrie Irving currently absent from the Brooklyn Nets?
Kyrie Irving has been sidelined with the front office citing 'personal reasons' and has not played for the Nets since 5 January and missed the game at NY Knicks on Thursday.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has missed his fifth consecutive game for the NBA franchise with the 28-year-old point guard absent at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night as the Nets beat NY Knicks 109-116.
Irving has been sidelined due to 'personal reasons' and his absence has continued after Nets GM Sean Marks issuing a statement mid-week.
"Kyrie remains away from the team due to personal reasons," Marks added. "A date of his return has yet to be finalized. In the meantime, we will continue to stay focused on our organizational goals. Kyrie will have the opportunity to address his absence when he is ready to do so."
No updates
When asked for an update on Irving's status, Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters: "I do not have any updates, sorry".
While star team-mate Kevin Durant returned in Sunday's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, NBA champion and six-time All-Star Irving was missing once again with videos of the star appearing at a party for his older sister.
Irving was averaging 27.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game in Brooklyn this season.
The Nets (7-6) lie sixth in the Eastern Conference and welcome Orlando to Brooklyn on Sunday night.
Harden to Brooklyn
James Harden has completed a blockbuster trade from the Houston Rockets to the Brooklyn Nets, it has been confirmed.
Widespread reports on Wednesday revealed Harden's eight-and-a-half-year stay in Houston was set to end, with the Nets agreeing a monster deal.
In a three-way move, Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince were sent to the Cleveland, who put in Dante Exum and a further first-round draft pick (2022 via Milwaukee) for Houston as well as a second-round draft pick (2024) for the Nets.
The Rockets are expected to swiftly move LeVert and a second-round pick on to the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo, although that switch was not initially confirmed alongside the Harden deal on Thursday.
Harden had been keen on a move prior to the start of the 2020-21 season and has now got his wish, linking up with Kevin Durant - his former Oklahoma City Thunder team-mate - and Kyrie Irving.