Kyrie Irving's 2020-21 campaign started with a bang. The Nets guard scored an efficient 26 points in a season-opening win against the Warriors, then followed that up with 37 points in a Christmas Day victory against the Celtics.
The 28-year-old is averaging 27.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3-point range. The problem? He has only played seven games while his team has played 15.
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Irving has not been part of Brooklyn's lineup since participating in a Jan. 5 contest against the Jazz. There have been rumors and speculation surrounding Irving recently, but little in the way of concrete information.
So what's going on with Irving? Here's what we know (and don't know) about his mysterious absence.
Why is Kyrie Irving not playing?
The Nets listed Irving as out for "personal reasons" on injury reports from Jan. 7 through Jan. 13 and used the "health and safety protocols" designation from Jan. 16 through Jan. 18 after the NBA determined he had violated COVID-19 guidelines by attending a private indoor party. Irving was fined $50,000 and forced to forfeit salary for the two games he missed during his five-day quarantine period.
In his first media availability since he rejoined the team, Irving said he had a lot of "family and personal stuff going on" but declined to offer any more details on why he initially missed games.
"When things become overwhelming in life, you just gotta take a step back and realize what's important," Irving said Jan. 19. "I love to play. That's never been a question. I committed myself when this wasn't even a thing for me. I didn't really care about media, didn't really care about the fandom. All I cared about was just the ethics of the game and being taught the fundamentals. Now that it's become bigger, and there's more of a responsibility that I have in this position I'm in, I'm grateful because I'm able to stand on this platform with others alongside of me that have sacrificed and are going through similar things.
"So, I'm not alone in this. That's just a big thing about also mental health, just coming in and being balanced with yourself first and then being able to perform. With everything going on in the world politically, socially, like I said, it's hard to ignore. I want to make changes daily. There are so many oppressed communities, so many things going on that are bigger than just a ball going in the rim."
"I want to make changes daily. There are so many oppressed communities and so many things going on that are bigger than a ball going in the rim"
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021
Kyrie Irving speaks on mental health, along with the political and social environment in America: pic.twitter.com/7UebJABzMm
Irving added that he addressed his teammates and took full accountability for his absence.
Kyrie Irving apologizes to fans he disappointed by not playing. "I am back, I am happy to be back, we got some great pieces and we move on and I let my actions and my game speak for itself like I planned on doing. I just needed a pause."
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 19, 2021
When asked whether he was aware that he had violated health and safety protocols, Irving didn't directly answer the question, only saying he was "happy to be back."
How many games has Kyrie Irving missed?
Irving sat out five games for personal reasons:
- Jan. 7 vs. 76ers
- Jan. 8 vs. Grizzlies
- Jan. 10 vs. Thunder
- Jan. 12 vs. Nuggets
- Jan. 13 vs. Knicks
Irving missed a Dec. 28 contest against Memphis for injury recovery and was listed as out for a Jan. 16 game against Orlando and Jan. 18 game against Milwaukee as a part of the league's health and safety protocols.
When will Kyrie Irving return to the Nets?
Nets coach Steve Nash said Irving went through a full practice with the team and is expected to play Jan. 20 against the Cavaliers.
"It was great to have Ky back in the building, back in with the group," Nash said Jan. 19. "We missed him. Excited to get him back out there on the floor. We were able to, like I keep saying, script and rehearse, but it's hard to build chemistry without playing. And we're not playing in practice.
"So the chemistry is going to be formed on the floor during games. It's gonna take some time, but we're excited about the possibilities."
Kyrie Irving practiced with the Nets today and is expected to play tomorrow against Cleveland:
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 19, 2021
"It was great to get Ky back into the building, we missed him" pic.twitter.com/xWlwIwXzwl
