Kyrie Irving could be ending his holdout soon with reports that he is now undergoing the mandatory quarantine requirements to return to NBA action. There is no telling when “Uncle Drew” will return for the Brooklyn Nets although it could be by next week.
The delay in Irving’s return is of his own doing. He was fined for violating the league’s health and safety protocols after he was spotted partying during his sister’s birthday without a face mask. He has missed six games thus far although the Nets have managed to hold up.
One reason is the addition of James Harden. Contrary to what most felt, the 2018 NBA MVP came out with a great performance against the Orlando Magic with a triple-double performance of 32 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds.
Nets @HSpecialSurgery Status Report for tomorrow's game vs. the Bucks: pic.twitter.com/LzMyBNDlRA — Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 18, 2021
That performance even put him in the NBA record books as the first player to produce a triple-double right in his very first game with a new team. Despite the emphatic debut, Harden admits that Brooklyn remains incomplete until Irving is back in the fray.
It may take time before Irving can spring back to action. Having missed six games, there is a growing concern about his health. He may need to work on that first, meaning the 28-year-old is unlikely to get his usual minutes from Steve Nash when he returns, CBS Sports reported.
“We have to assess that as we go. We do want to make sure he ramps accordingly so that he's not susceptible to unnecessary injury and protect him the best we can. But hopefully, it will be a short period of time. That is to be determined, though," Nash said to the New York Post.
The Nets face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, a game where Irving could be an added boost. If he fails to get clearance by that time, the former top pick could play again either Wednesday or Friday. The Nets face the Cleveland Cavaliers on both dates in a two-series matchup.
Regardless, Nash will have to turn to Harden and Kevin Durant for now until Irving is cleared to return. But even if he is given the go-signal, it won’t be his usual minutes. Irving has had his share of injuries and the last thing Brooklyn needs right now is to see him suffering one.
Also on the table is the reason behind Irving’s holdout. Nash explained that no other than Irving will reveal the reason at the time of his liking.
