Nets news: Kyrie Irving honestly addresses his absence from Brooklyn

Nets star Kyrie Irving has finally addressed the media about his unknown absence from the team over the last couple of weeks.

After missing his team’s last seven games, Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving finally rejoined the team and addressed his absence.

Irving didn’t specify the reason for his absence, only saying that he dealt with a lot of family and personal stuff during his two-week absence, while saying that he has remained in contact with his teammates and that they have moved on from the incident, per ESPN’s Malika Andrews.

Kyrie Irving, speaking to reporters, says "there's been a lot of family and personal stuff" going on the last two weeks.

Irving said he addressed his teammates. "I have a conversation with each one of them and we move on."

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 19, 2021

The 28-year-old also took the time to apologize to fans who were disappointed by his absence and admitted that he “just needed a pause,” while adding that he is happy to be back and rejoin a team that recently completed a blockbuster trade for All-Star guard James Harden.

Kyrie Irving apologizes to fans he disappointed by not playing. "I am back, I am happy to be back, we got some great pieces and we move on and I let my actions and my game speak for itself like I planned on doing. I just needed a pause."

— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 19, 2021

Irving has already attended the Nets’ latest practice on Tuesday and is expected to play once they face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. He was previously fined $50,000 by the NBA for violating the league's health and safety protocols after he was seen attending a party without wearing a mask in a video that made the rounds on social media.

Before his two-week hiatus, Irving averaged 27.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.6 steals while shooting 50.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from beyond the arc in Brooklyn’s first seven games.

With the addition of Harden, who has played well with Kevin Durant, Irving’s numbers are expected to take a dip as the 2018 MVP takes on a significant role in coach Steve Nash’s offense. The 2016 NBA champion joins a Nets team with a 9-6 record and has won four straight, including the last two games with Harden in the lineup.