Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving will not travel with the team on their upcoming three-game road trip.
The team announced Monday that Irving would be absent as he attends to a family matter, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and ESPN's Malika Andrews.
Nets' Kyrie Irving is not accompanying the team on this week’s three-game road trip in order to tend to a family matter, team says.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 22, 2021
Kyrie Irving will not travel with the Nets on their upcoming road trip to Portland, Utah and Detroit, the team says. He is attending to a family matter, per team.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) March 22, 2021
Irving took a leave of absence for personal reasons earlier in the season. Brooklyn will be without its star point guard as the Nets prepare for their upcoming road trip.
That means Nets fans are going to see plenty more of James Harden.
Article Continues BelowKevin Durant has yet to return from a hamstring strain that sidelined him prior to the All-Star break. With Irving also inactive, “The Beard” will take on a much greater share of the offensive responsibilities.
Harden has had success without Irving and Durant on the floor. He led the Nets to a remarkable comeback victory over the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 16, scoring 38 points on 14-for-22 shooting from the field. Harden was also dominant in last Wednesday's win over the Indiana Pacers, posting a 40-point triple-double with 15 assists and 10 rebounds.
Brooklyn is 5-1 in the second half, but the Nets face a pair of stiff challenges to start the road trip.
The first game comes Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, a team that will surely be motivated to get back on track following Sunday's drubbing at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. Brooklyn then travels to Utah for the second leg of a back-t0-back. The road trip ends against the Detroit Pistons on Friday.
Harden will have his work cut out without Irving or Durant on the floor. Some added contributions from newcomer Blake Griffin would surely help matters as well.