The Brooklyn Nets are currently dealing with COVID-19 contact tracing situation involving Kevin Durant, but another key member of their roster is now dealing with an injury. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Kyrie Irving has been ruled out on Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers due to a sprained finger.
Nets’ Kyrie Irving is listed out tonight against the 76ers due to right index finger sprain.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2021
It is uncertain when Irving suffered the finger sprain, but it likely came during his game against the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Nevertheless, Irving will be sidelined due to the injury, which leaves the Nets extremely shorthanded against the 76ers on Saturday.
With Brooklyn's matchup with Toronto about to tip-off on Friday, it was discovered that Durant would not start the game due to the league's health and safety protocols. Durant would then clear the protocols in time to play in the game, only to be told by the NBA to sit later in the contest.
As a result of Durant's situation, it was reported on Friday night that Durant would not travel with the team to Philadelphia on Saturday. Therefore, it is unknown when Durant will be able to return to the lineup for the Nets.
With Irving nursing a finger injury, that leaves James Harden as the main facilitator and scorer on Brooklyn's roster. Outside of Harden, the Nets are going to have to rely on Joe Harris, DeAndre Jordan, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green to contribute against the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in the 76ers.
Earlier this season, Irving missed a handful of games due to personal reasons. This time around, Irving is going to miss at least one game due to a sprained finger, and his timetable to return is undetermined.
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