Kyrie Irving was back on the shelf Saturday night, but the Nets hope it’s only a one-game absence.
The star point guard missed the Nets’ 124-108 loss to the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center because of a sprained right index finger that he suffered in Friday’s loss to the Raptors.
“I think to be determined [how long he’s out], but I think it very well could be day-to-day,” coach Steve Nash said before tipoff. “I think we’re thinking of it day-to-day right now, but you never know. We’ll see how it responds. Hopefully it is day-to-day and we’ll see him back in action on Tuesday.”
Irving played 35 minutes Friday, recording 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and seven turnovers. He shot 6-for-12 from the field, but 0-for-4 from deep.
Nash said Irving’s absence had nothing to do with load management as the Nets face back-to-back starting Tuesday. Instead, it was a legitimate injury that left the team without two-thirds of its Big 3 because Kevin Durant was also out due to COVID-19 protocols.
Kyrie Irving talks with Tobias Harris after the Nets’ 124-108 loss to the 76ers. Getty Images“[Irving] genuinely has a swollen finger and took a knock to it [Friday],” Nash said. “So hopefully it’s day-to-day. I think everybody’s proceeding as it is.”
Irving sat out one game in December, to rest his surgically repaired right shoulder, before missing seven straight in January when he left the team for personal reasons. He had been thriving since then, averaging 27.8 points in his past nine games.
Center Norvel Pelle made his Nets debut against his former team and got his money’s worth, fouling out with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter. He finished with two points, five rebounds and three blocks in 17 minutes.
“Norvel was great,” Nash said. “He’s out of shape a little bit, for NBA standards. I was proud of him for fighting through, trying to get his legs and his lungs going. He obviously has some instincts blocking shots.”
DeAndre Jordan left the game in the third quarter after being shaken up when Tyler Johnson fell on his leg. Nash said he believed Jordan was “OK.”
In the first quarter, Jordan and James Harden were both hit with technical fouls as a result of the referees missing a blatant basket interference by Danny Green. Jordan drew the first tech for complaining about the non-call. After the ensuing free-throw, Harden got his for seemingly dropping the ball instead of handing it to the referee.
With Irving and Durant out, the Nets used their 15th different starting lineup of the season in 25 games: Harden, Jordan, Joe Harris, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and Jeff Green.
