Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving missed the team's win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night due to a hip strain and was also sidelined for their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday evening.
However, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens expects to have his point guard back soon.
“He’s feeling better,” Stevens said, via Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston. “Hopefully he’ll be available, if not Friday, soon thereafter.”
You have to wonder if Kyrie Irving is truly compromised or if the Celtics are just playing it safe with him.
We are seeing more and more teams around the league rest their players throughout the year, with the new term “load management” being used by clubs like the Toronto Raptors, who have been resting Kawhi Leonard on and off during the season.
It definitely makes sense, as it is obviously best to have your top players fresh for the playoffs.
On the season, Irving has played in 43 games and is averaging 23.7 points while achieving career highs in assists (6.9), rebounds (4.8) and steals (1.7) over 32.6 minutes of action. He is also shooting a career-best 49.9 percent from the floor, 41.2 percent from deep and 85 percent from the free-throw line.
Irving will start the All-Star Game, marking his third straight All-Star appearance and sixth overall.
The Celtics originally acquired the 26-year-old in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the summer of 2017, sending Isaiah Thomas to the Cavaliers in the deal.
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