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Kyrie Irving has been listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Charlotte Hornets, which will mark his 13th straight missed game due to injury. According to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks, Wednesday's absence will disqualify Irving from earning a $125,000 bonus for playing in at least 70 games this season, a bonus that was included in his four-year, $136.6 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Irving has yet to see the court since Nov. 14 due to a right shoulder impingement. The Nets haven't done all that bad without him, though, as the Spencer Dinwiddie-led squad has won nine of the last 12 games they've played without Irving.
The summer splash signing did more on-court work with the team on Tuesday, according to head coach Kenny Atkinson, but there is still no definitive timetable for his return just yet. Atkinson said Irving has made consistent progress and has suffered no setbacks from his shoulder injury, according to SNY's Ian Begley.
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After a slow start to the season, the Nets have rebounded to get themselves back into the playoff race, now seventh in the East at 13-10 and winners of their last three games.
Irving's return could come sometime this month, but don't be surprised if the Nets hold him out until 2020, especially considering how well they have played without him on the court. The Nets are determined to protect their investment, much like they're doing with Kevin Durant, who is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
Atkinson and company won't push him into playing this early in the season, considering he's their only hope for playoff success later on.
