The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers will do battle Wednesday night in a matchup between the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.
But this marquee showdown has lost some luster with the Nets going through a bit of a rotation shakeup due to injuries and injury management.
Kyrie Irving is making his return to the lineup after missing Tuesday's game due to personal reasons, per ESPN's Malika Andrews. However, all of Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin are inactive. James Harden remains out of the rotation as he nurses a hamstring injury.
It's unfortunate — for NBA fans — both teams will not be at full strength on Wednesday night in what could be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals. However, it's not much of a surprise.
The decision to sit Durant is especially predictable. He is still only just returning from a hamstring strain that cost him nearly two months, and the Nets had already been cautious about playing him in both legs of back-to-backs. Management is also a factor when it comes to Griffin's playing status.
Alas, Uncle Drew will have to carry the Nets on his shoulders in Philly.
The Sixers are mostly back to full strength after Joel Embiid missed over two weeks with a knee injury. Philly has won each of its last two games, with Embiid growing progressively stronger.
Perhaps Irving can make things interesting with a sensational individual performance. Brooklyn will certainly need it.
Ultimately, though, what otherwise might have been a playoff preview could turn into more of a snoozer with the Nets missing key players.
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