As per an article from MassLive, Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving wont be able to play in their game against the Utah Jazz on Friday to attend his grandfather's memorial.

Boston Celtics star Kyrie Irving won't be in Utah on Friday.

The Celtics' star guard will be at his grandfather's memorial, so he will miss Gordon Hayward's return against the Utah Jazz — the team he spurned to join the Celtics in free agency.

He also gave advice on how Hayward should approach the game

“Just try not to get too caught up into what the outside is going on,” Irving said. “It really doesn't matter. It really does not matter — like, at all. I know the love and support that he's garnered there. Gordon's a great person. Don't allow competition in basketball to be influenced by what everybody else's opinion and criticism and all that other stuff of what it should be like in an environment for him.”

Irving is fresh of a 39-point outing against the Phoenix Suns in a comeback win in a game where Celtics were down by 22 at one point. He scored 18 of his 39 points during the fourth quarter and overtime period, and also gave his teammate the assist on the game tying three in the end of the fourth.

The Celtics are now third in the Eastern Conference at 7-4 after a slow start to the season. They still haven't hit their stride yet, especially with Irving and Hayward coming back from injuries. However, wins like their last one certainly help the cause.