Report: ‘No momentum’ for Nets’ Kyrie Irving to return before Nov. 20
It seems the Brooklyn Nets will be without star guard Kyrie Irving for longer than five total games.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday that “there appears to be no momentum” for Irving to return to the Nets’ active roster during their road trip that concludes with a game at the Portland Trail Blazers next Thursday. Brooklyn returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies on Nov. 20, and Irving’s status for that matchup is unclear at this time.
Wojnarowski’s update came the same day that Nets owner Joe Tsai tweeted he and his wife Clara met with Irving on Thursday. On Nov. 3, the Nets announced Irving had been suspended without pay for a minimum of five games for linking to a movie and book that contain antisemitic tropes via social media and his initial refusal to apologize for his actions and confirm that “he has no antisemitic beliefs.”
The fifth game of Irving’s suspension will be Saturday’s showdown at the Los Angeles Clippers. Brooklyn plays at the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and at the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.
“Clara and I met with Kyrie and his family yesterday,” Tsai tweeted, per Mark W. Sanchez of the New York Post. “We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group.”
Tsai added that Irving, the Nets, the NBA, and National Basketball Players Association, “are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.” Meanwhile, the NBPA said in a memo on Friday that, “Kyrie’s rights, and the rights of all future players, have been protected at every turn,” and that it, “look(s) forward very soon to a resolution of all matters satisfactory to all parties.” The NBPA also said it and Irving, “unequivocally condemn antisemitism and all other forms of hate.”
Irving met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday, and reportedly has also been involved in meetings with Nets, league and union officials on “several occasions” during his suspension. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who previously blasted Irving via Twitter, noted on Friday he’s “very encouraged” by the “progress” that has been made:
I’m very encouraged by the progress that’s been made. Thanks to all involved (@KyrieIrving, @NBA, @BrooklynNets, @TheNBPA, @joetsai1999) for their openness and willingness to work towards a positive outcome. https://t.co/nL5zaZ46E8
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) November 11, 2022
The Black and Jewish communities have so much in common, it’s critical that we come together and heal so that we can stop the spread of hate. All of us at @ADL are ready to engage towards a better future for all
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) November 11, 2022
Nets general manager Sean Marks made it known last week that Irving must also meet “with some anti-hate and some Jewish leaders within our community” before the club will consider making him eligible to play again.