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As Kyrie Irving stayed away from his Brooklyn Nets teammates the previous three months, he questioned what it will be prefer to enterprise out and watch a recreation like a fan.
“I can not actually exit and watch at an area bar or something like that,” Irving, who continues to be not vaccinated towards COVID-19, mentioned just lately. “I might like to be, ‘OK, [Kevin Durant] hit a shot, let’s [take a shot]’; I am joking, however simply having enjoyable watching it. Typically I get to observe it alone and typically I get to observe with my household.”
The Nets are within the midst of discovering their very own steadiness amid a chaotic time, together with Irving’s return for highway video games after the entrance workplace reversed course following a teamwide coronavirus outbreak and Durant’s MCL sprain that has him sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks. The slate of video games over that interval coated almost 8,000 miles, a rescheduled contest towards the Portland Trail Blazers and a glimpse of the very best and worst elements of a Nets workforce that has had its Large Three All-Stars begin just one recreation collectively this season.
Because the Nets (28-16) put together to face the San Antonio Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET) on Friday, here is a glance again at a wild two-plus weeks for a Steve Nash-coached workforce looking for its championship chemistry:
Wednesday, Jan. 5 | Indianapolis, Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Earlier than the sport, Nets normal supervisor Sean Marks and several other staffers watched from the sidelines as Irving took pictures from all around the ground. The group regarded like nervous but excited mother and father, hoping for the very best in an unprecedented scenario. Irving labored by means of his pregame routine, unaffected by the encircling hoopla.
Kyrie getting some pictures up previous to his first recreation of the season. pic.twitter.com/Ue1rsOUOex
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 5, 2022
Irving’s cool confidence led the Nets out of a malaise to a 129-121 Brooklyn victory. Irving scored 22 factors in 32 minutes, spoiling an sudden scene-stealing present from Indiana’s Lance Stephenson, who scored 20 factors in simply six first-quarter minutes.
“Actually, it was humorous,” James Harden mentioned after the sport. “Simply ‘trigger it will occur to us. That they had 37 [first-quarter] factors and he had 20.”
Whereas Harden spoke in a makeshift press room, Durant and Irving shared a quiet second within the again. The All-Stars, who celebrated on the ground with a private handshake after the sport, hugged for a second, having fun with a couple of minutes of solitude away from the cameras as Irving waited his flip to talk.
“I’ve had a whole lot of debuts,” Irving mentioned. “However nothing comes near this one. It meant a little bit bit extra simply because at this stage, taking off eight months, or being out of the sport for eight months and coming again in, there’s a lot uncertainty. … So I went in with simply an open mindset simply to floor myself, be current and do no matter it takes to win.”
Friday, Jan. 7 | Brooklyn, Barclays Heart
Giannis Antetokounmpo and a few of his Milwaukee Bucks teammates strolled by means of the entryway close to the ground inside Barclays Heart for shootaround whereas Nets rookie David Duke Jr. mentioned his time with Irving thus far.
The 22-year-old out of Windfall is a part of what Nash calls the “stay ready” group — a combination of younger or two-way gamers who can be found for a pickup recreation always. With a veteran-laden roster, the Nets haven’t got many formal practices in the course of the season, so this group has been tasked with getting Irving ready for his return.
That has given Duke an up-close take a look at what the Nets will be with Irving.
“Every single day we performed pickup,” Duke instructed ESPN, “you positively would stroll away with a pair moments all through the day like, ‘Rattling, that was robust. Solely he can do this.'”
The notion that Irving would not care in regards to the workforce due to his choice to not get vaccinated would not match what the younger Nets gamers have seen.
“You possibly can simply inform, as soon as he was again that everyone had a distinct sort of confidence or totally different sort of spirit about them realizing that he is round,” Duke mentioned.
A return to Brooklyn meant Irving’s return to the inactive checklist, one recreation after making his season debut. “It is a psychological adjustment greater than something,” Nets veteran Patty Mills mentioned.
Earlier than the Nets’ 121-109 loss to the Bucks, Nash was requested what Brooklyn missed most with out Irving. His phrase proved prescient as the sport unfolded.
“His expertise,” Nash mentioned. “He provides issues that we’re skinny at: Penetration, shot creation, taking pictures, the spacing, and all these issues he brings to the desk … we want we had him on a regular basis, however we’re pleased that we have now him half the time.”
Sunday, Jan. 9 | Brooklyn, Barclays Heart
In what had grow to be a well-known scene over the previous two weeks, the Nets blew a late result in an inferior opponent within the San Antonio Spurs. After a Harden layup with 4:59 left in regulation put the Nets up 111-99, they could not shut and the Spurs despatched the sport into time beyond regulation.
With Irving unable to take part at residence, the Nets turned to Cam Thomas. The 2021 first-round choose had logged half-hour by means of the primary 4 quarters however hadn’t seen the ground in time beyond regulation — till Nash despatched him again in with 16.1 seconds left. With many within the introduced crowd of 15,606 on their toes, Durant was double-teamed and handed to Thomas, who caught the ball on the precise, simply past the 3-point line. The younger guard took two fast dribbles after which hit a working floater with 1.4 seconds left, clinching a 121-119 OT win.
No person within the Nets group appeared shocked at Thomas’ second.
“He simply showcased his brilliance,” Durant mentioned. “Making a tricky runner, that is his shot, so glad he knocked that down.”
There have been luggage scattered all around the Nets’ press convention room. Staffers walked out and in of the world because the workforce ready for its flight to Oregon, the place the Nets would as soon as once more have Irving out there.
Monday, Jan. 10 | Portland, Oregon, Moda Heart
The oddity of taking part in on the second evening of a cross-country back-to-back, a 3,000-mile journey feat that left lots of the Nets gamers and personnel haggard, was not misplaced on Brooklyn’s coach or workforce.
Rookie middle Day’Ron Sharpe described the Nets’ itinerary over the previous 24 hours.
“Flying to Portland was the longest flight I’ve ever been on,” he mentioned. “I used to be on the aircraft going loopy, man. I used to be like when is that this aircraft experience going to finish? However I ain’t by no means executed that, fly from the East Coast to the West Coast, play a back-to-back.”
📍Portland pic.twitter.com/C9IneefGnF
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 11, 2022
Whereas the Nets received Irving again for the bizarre back-to-back, they didn’t have Harden, who was a late scratch due to a hyperextended knee and was noticed within the media room throughout halftime consuming popcorn and catching a number of the School Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship on TV.
Nash had not needed to make use of the lengthy back-to-back as an excuse for his workforce’s efficiency, however the coach acknowledged the schedule points took a toll.
“Guys had been gassed tonight, actually,” Nash mentioned.
In simply his second recreation of the yr, a comparatively contemporary Irving scored 22 factors in 40 minutes. However with Harden already out, Irving had an harm scare of his personal. With 5:54 left in regulation, Portland Trail Blazers ahead Nassir Little dived for a free ball and knocked over Irving within the course of. Irving stayed on the ground for just a few moments after twisting his left ankle, retying his left shoe for extra help. After the sport, Irving mentioned he can be prepared for Wednesday’s recreation in Chicago, however delivered a message to Little within the course of.
“I attempted to get out of the best way, however I simply felt like that was pointless, like for him to dive that far-off from the ball, I used to be simply making an attempt to get out of the best way, however simply an pointless play,” Irving mentioned.
For his half, Durant wasn’t blaming accidents or the schedule for the 114-108 loss to an also-undermanned Path Blazers squad. He needed no a part of any excuses for why his workforce misplaced.
“It is part of the sport,” he mentioned. “It is part of who we’re … I am not making no excuses about no flights or our schedule. Everybody’s schedule is f—ed up.”
As Durant received up from the rostrum, he recalled a number of the lengthy journeys he had as a rookie with the Seattle SuperSonics (2007-08). He provided an trustworthy evaluation in regards to the previous day and a half — which additionally may have summed up his and Irving’s tenure with the Nets properly.
“That was a loopy one,” he mentioned.
1:45
Kendrick Perkins goes off on the Brooklyn Nets, significantly James Harden and Kevin Durant, for being “tender” of their remedy of Kyrie Irving this season.
Wednesday, Jan. 12 | Chicago, United Heart
The Nets accomplished their shootaround upfront of the 9 p.m. native begin time towards the Chicago Bulls, the primary tip at the moment within the historical past of the United Heart. When requested how Irving and Harden regarded in the course of the workforce’s exercise, Nash’s black face masks couldn’t cowl his dry humorousness.
“I believed they had been actually good-looking,” Nash mentioned. “Garments match.”
Each gamers had been activated for the sport, making it the fifteenth out of a attainable 114 video games the Nets’ Large Three would take the courtroom collectively. Nonetheless, Nash wasn’t utilizing the sport towards the East-leading Bulls as a measuring stick. Brooklyn had entered the sport with an 0-8 file towards the highest 4 groups in each conferences.
“Our purpose is to be able to beat elite groups in April and Could, so we received a lot thrown at us, so many guys out and in of the lineup — I think I said before, we’re not in that class but,” he mentioned. “We received to get there by the top of the season.”
As he had executed many instances through the years, Drederick Irving was courtside a day after his 56th birthday to observe his son play basketball, sitting alongside a few his son’s associates.
When Kyrie knocked down his first basket late within the second quarter after he began the sport 0-for-4, Drederick stood up and clapped.
“My dad performs an necessary function, not simply as a father, however simply as a mentor in serving to me and guiding me by means of as a person rising up on this society,” Kyrie mentioned after the sport. “So basketball is one thing that we discuss, but it surely’s not the principle factor that we share as two folks which might be bonded, past simply father and son. … So seeing him be supportive and the fellows recognizing it as properly within the locker room, like, ‘Yo, I noticed pops sitting courtside’ means loads to me.”
Durant, Harden and Irving discovered themselves in probably the most unlikely of positions as the ultimate minutes ticked off the clock in what was speculated to be a showdown between the East’s two greatest groups: The bench.
The Nets outscored the Bulls 39-19 within the third quarter, permitting Brooklyn’s Large Three to take a seat the rest of the 138-112 victory.
“We talked about that,” Durant mentioned with a chuckle. “You have seen me there, however we’re taking an L, we’re down 20, you understand what I am saying? But it surely was good to get a win and be on the bench cheering the fellows on as you are successful a recreation. It has been a tough 5, six video games for us, however considered one of these video games, it is good for simply the workforce usually.”
The happiness outdoors the Nets locker room after their largest win to this point was palpable. However Durant scoffed on the thought the workforce had paid consideration to what the surface world thought.
“We all know what we deliver to the desk and it is all about us,” Durant mentioned. “However I am positive folks had been watching the sport tonight.”
The 2014 MVP received as much as depart and was reminded that many individuals across the league watched the Nets’ efficiency.
“I do know,” Durant mentioned with a smirk.
Thursday, Jan. 13 | Brooklyn, Barclays Heart
Because the Nets’ fourth recreation in 5 nights approached towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, the dearth of sleep had caught up with Nash. He shook his head after he didn’t find a well-known reporter throughout his pregame convention.
“I understand how I really feel,” Nash mentioned. “I am exhausted.
“However these guys are a resilient group — they discovered a solution to give possibly their greatest efficiency of the yr [in Chicago] after a tricky back-to-back and a whole lot of journey. So we respect that they’ve caught with this and we have had a tricky time.”
However with out Durant and Irving, the Nets misplaced 130-109 to a Thunder squad that entered the evening with a 13-27 file.
As Harden walked to the rostrum, he proclaimed to everybody inside earshot: “Do not name me tomorrow,” chuckling on the logistical absurdity of the Nets’ previous week.
“Drained,” Harden mentioned. “Exhausted. It has been loopy simply ‘explanation for the COVID … we performed so properly final evening, so we needed to have some type of carryover but it surely simply did not occur.”
“It has been a journey. Actually,” Nash added. “That is what we’re coping with. We’re in a pandemic. We missed some video games. We threw a cross nation back-to-back in after which come again to a ten o’clock recreation in Chicago and fly again to Brooklyn. That is simply the best way it’s. No person’s going to really feel sorry for us and we acknowledge what it’s, we’re glad to get it behind us and we’re lucky we received two of the video games.”
Harden shook his head and provided his personal evaluation.
“We go beat San Antonio, we go on the highway [to Portland], I do not play, we lose. All of us go to Chicago, all of us play, we play like we’re speculated to — tonight [Durant] and Kyrie do not play, so it is like I do not know. I do not know.”
In the intervening time, the highway would be the greatest place for the Nets as a result of which means Irving can play.
“Gotta discover a solution to find it irresistible and we’ll persevere and we’ll study one thing about ourselves and we’ll develop from it,” Nash mentioned.
Saturday, Jan. 15 | Brooklyn, Barclays Heart
Carrying a fan-giveaway Blake Griffin T-shirt from earlier within the season, Nash was requested how he may get his workforce targeted on taking part in at a excessive degree with out Irving.
“My message can be it ought to be the alternative,” Nash mentioned earlier than the workforce’s fifth recreation in seven days. “You have got a chance at residence to play, to play extra, to have extra accountability and to show that we are able to win when he isn’t out there. That is an strategy we have now to have.”
After resting in Thursday’s loss to the Thunder, Durant regarded spry to begin Saturday’s recreation — he racked up 12 factors in 12 first-quarter minutes. However with slightly below six minutes left within the first half, Pelicans ahead Herb Jones drove to the basket and collided with Nets guard Bruce Brown, who fell into Durant’s knee, sending Durant to the locker room.
Halfway by means of the fourth quarter, Durant slowly made his approach out of the Nets locker room and limped to a ready automobile within the bowels of the sector. He did not assume the harm was too severe however needed to see what the MRI would present Sunday morning. When requested if he would journey to the workforce’s subsequent recreation in Cleveland, Durant unfurled his lengthy arms right into a shrug, the common pose for “I do not know.”
The Nets, led by Harden’s 27 factors, escaped with a 120-105 win.
The check outcomes revealed an MCL sprain in Durant’s left knee and Nash said a couple of days later there wasn’t an actual timeline for his return. Sources instructed ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Sunday that the franchise expected a four-to six-week rehabilitation, seemingly leaving Brooklyn down one other considered one of its stars by means of the February All-Star break.
Monday, Jan. 17 | Cleveland, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
The Nets had been hopeful they might construct chemistry with Irving over the subsequent week as their four-game highway journey started. Particularly since 11 of their subsequent 13 video games can be on the highway.
“It isn’t easy the place I get the possibility to provide him a name day by day,” Nash mentioned earlier than Monday’s recreation. “You possibly can’t replicate NBA video games. It is a course of we even have to concentrate on, that he is nonetheless adapting to the calls for. And in addition adapting to a brand new cadence. … So it is totally different, and it is one thing that we have now to provide him time to adapt to and to get to his greatest.”
One yr and at some point after buying and selling for Harden, the Nets have had their star trio collectively for precisely 16 video games. That quantity won’t develop for at the very least one other month, one thing Irving addressed after a 114-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“Everybody’s going to really feel it, however for me personally, I am similar to, ‘Man, we simply received again into the swing of issues and right here we’re,'” Irving mentioned. “One among our guys is out for an extended time period so we simply received to face the truth, man. Simply transfer ahead.”
The Nets struggled to maneuver ahead with out Durant in Monday’s loss. As gamers made their approach off the courtroom, they got constructive phrases from assorted workforce personnel, however their temper remained quiet because the group confronted its actuality for the foreseeable future: no Durant and no Irving at residence, because the star guard made it clear he would not change his stance on getting vaccinated even with Durant out.
Nash put into context the chance forward of the Nets.
“That is nothing new for us, sadly,” Nash mentioned earlier than the sport started. “Dropping Kevin Durant is a big deal, but when it is ever been minimalized it is on this scenario as a result of we’re used to having all types of fellows out and in and various things happen.”
Wednesday, Jan. 19 | Washington, Capital One Enviornment
The extra Kessler Edwards performed alongside Irving, the extra the Nets rookie ahead picked up on how carefully Irving had been watching the workforce from afar.
“Clearly when we have now Ky right here for these away video games, it is a totally different dynamic,” Edwards mentioned earlier than Nets’ ninth recreation in 15 days since Irving returned. “I can inform he is been watching the sport and he type of, like, understands even what I do.”
How can Edwards inform?
“Similar to sure passes he’d make and stuff,” the 21-year-old mentioned.
2:28
Kyrie Irving will get sizzling early and finishes with 30 factors because the Nets go on to win 119-118 over the Wizards.
Just a few hours later, Irving tallied a season-high 30 factors and 7 assists in a slim 119-118 win towards the Washington Wizards.
Irving, in his fifth recreation of the season, acknowledged how pleased he was to be again on the ground together with his teammates, and likewise defined in better element what he did in the course of the time he wasn’t with the workforce.
“I used to be taking part in 24 with a bunch of associates. I used to be taking part in with some highschool youngsters. I used to be coaching highschool youngsters,” Irving mentioned. “Having open dialogue — girls and boys from highschool. Girls and boys from faculty as properly. Bought guys within the NBA, women within the WNBA. And that is what saved me related. I am not too far-off from the sport, I can nonetheless watch, I can nonetheless observe. … However actually it was simply I received an opportunity to see the sport from one other viewpoint, how a lot influence we actually make on the earth on this.”
When instructed Wednesday’s recreation marked the two-week anniversary of Irving’s return, even Nash needed to take a second to course of all of the issues that had occurred since Irving’s first recreation in Indianapolis.
“Is that it?” Nash mentioned. “Two weeks? Loopy.”
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