Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is missing his third consecutive contest Wednesday versus the Charlotte Hornets due to a right shoulder impingement. However, head coach Kenny Atkinson doesn't think the issue is anything serious.
In fact, according to Atkinson, he doesn't see Irving's injury as a “long-term thing.”
“I don't think it's a long-term thing,” Atkinson said, per Michael Scotto of Bleacher Report. “I wouldn't say we're being overcautious. … Do I think it's a long-term thing? No. I don't think he can play through it right now quite honestly. That's where we are. We'll see where that goes.”
Irving, who has averaged 28.5 points per game through his first 11 games as a Net, has been vital to Brooklyn early in the year.
Without Irving in the mix, Spencer Dinwiddie has entered the starting five and has shown off his high-octane scoring potential. Still, even as Dinwiddie thrives in his starting role, the team misses Irving's offensive firepower.
After the luster of their flashy free-agent acquisitions during the summer, the Nets enter play Wednesday 5-8 on the year. There is still ample time for the team to hit their stride, although Kevin Durant has been all but ruled out for the remainder of the year and DeAndre Jordan has averaged just 7.3 points per game — his lowest mark since 2010-11.
While the news surrounding Irving isn't exactly encouraging, it's not backbreaking, either. His next chance at taking the court comes Friday versus the Sacramento Kings, but the showdown that he may really be targeting is Sunday at Madison Square Garden versus the Knicks.
Follow Us
Subscribe