Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving is expected to return to the floor Tuesday after a brief absence.
Irving missed Saturday's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers with a finger sprain, but the Nets said Monday he is probable to play in Tuesday's matchup with the Detroit Pistons.
The Nets say Kyrie Irving (right index finger sprain) is probable to play Tuesday at Detroit
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 8, 2021
“Uncle Drew” suffered the finger sprain during Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors. It seemed to limit him, as Irving finished the game with just 12 field goal attempts in over 35 minutes of run. However, the six-time All-Star is seemingly feeling better.
Irving has played a big role in Brooklyn's 14-11 start. He is averaging 27.5 points, 5.7 assists and 4.8 rebounds in 16 games, shooting over 53 percent from the field and over 43 percent from beyond the arc.
Despite the concerns surrounding an Irving-James Harden backcourt, the two have–for the most part–worked fairly well in tandem. Some Nets previously suggested Harden was even being a bit too timid.
With its stars beginning to gel, Brooklyn won eight of ten games between Jan. 12 and Jan. 29, soaring towards the top of the Eastern Conference standings. But the Nets have since lost three of their last four, including a stunning defeat at the hands of the Washington Wizards on Jan. 31.
Brooklyn has given up at least 120 points in each of its last six games, and Irving's absence loomed large against the Sixers on the offensive end of the floor. The Nets scored just 108 points, struggling to get playmaking and shot-creation from anyone not named James Harden.
Irving will look to help get Brooklyn back on track Tuesday against the Pistons.
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