Kyrie Irving Missing Sixers Game for ‘Personal Purposes,’ Kevin Durant could return Sunday for net

The Nets will be without Kyrie Irving for Thursday’s game with the 76ers, while Kevin Durant could return as early as Sunday.

Brooklyn (4-4) Irving, a New Jersey native, signed out for “personal reasons” against the Sixers in a game in which Brooklyn wears a New Jersey Nets uniform from the 1990s.

“I found out,” Nets coach Steve Nash told reporters on Zoom pre-game. “I sent him a message in the last half hour and I haven’t heard back yet. Of course, we think about it and hope all is well. Yeah, it’s a private matter. ”

When asked if he was aware of why Irving was missing the game, Nash said, “I don’t have an update on that.”

Irving averages 27.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds. He went for 29 points, six rebounds and five assists in Tuesday’s 130-96 win over Utah.

As for Durant, it was initially reported that he was out for Covid-19 communication detection protocols for four games, which he was relegated for Tuesday’s game with Denver.

But Nash said he could return Sunday against Oklahoma City.

“If he continues to pass a negative test, he could play Sunday,” Nash said. “That’s all I have about that. I can’t wait until Sunday. “

Durant gets an average of 28.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists after returning from a broken Achilles tendon.

Nash was also questioned about Wednesday’s historic attack into a Capitol building by a group of Trump supporters and noted the “obvious and strong difference” in how law enforcement has handled it against the behavior of -handled the Black Lives Matters campaign last summer.

“I’m sure it’s on everyone’s mind, the obvious and obvious difference in the way these situations have been handled and I think we’re all in a phase of being so unfair. these are the situations and situations in society, ”he said.

“And that’s why the players and the league have continued to fight for change and social justice and here we are again so this is going to be a long fight and a battle for equality. one day, but better equality levels in the meantime. And it continues. ”