Coming off of their worst loss of the season, the Brooklyn Nets look to regroup against the Memphis Grizzlies. In many ways, it is a terrific litmus test for Steve Nash's group, as the Grizzlies specialize in some areas where they have struggled.

Ja Morant and Memphis force turnovers, they crash the offensive glass, and they get up and down the floor quickly. At one point in the season, we referred to defensive rebounding as the Nets' Achilles heel.

While Kevin Durant, James Harden and co. will do all they can to focus on getting the bad taste out of their mouth following a 120-116 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the question of Kyrie Irving's return still makes everything else feel a bit inconsequential by contrast.

Kyrie Irving Returning Soon?

It was reported earlier on Monday that Kyrie Irving is “expected to make his season debut Wednesday on the road against the Indiana Pacers,” per Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Can coach Nash confirm this?

“Yeah, we're hopeful. No determinations have been made yet. So we'll see how he does between now and then,” said Nash, careful not to make anything sound too official.

What exactly does it depend on?

“How he feels and whether we determine it's safe for him to come back,” Nash added.

How does he look in practice?

“I think Kyrie looks great,” the Nets coach furthered. “He's such a talented and gifted player and to see him on the floor has been great. We all look forward to him coming back.”

It is a sentiment basically echoed by the team's players like DeAndre' Bembry and James Harden.

Joe Harris Still Ways Away From Big Comeback

Nash also offered some updates on a couple other players out of the lineup dealing with injuries. Joe Harris has been out since Nov. 14th with an ankle injury. How does his timeline for the Nets look like?

“I think settling of some of the irritation,” added Nash. “Then those high intensity workouts, ramping up to that. I'm not even sure that that's next on the cards I think he's still letting some irritation settle and then we'll ramp up accordingly. But I couldn't put a timeline on it but I do feel confident that this is something that will resolve itself and we won't look back,” said Nash.

“To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what he's able to do right now. I think we still got a couple weeks. In that ballpark….it could take longer than that.”

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NBA Schedule Updates For Nets

The Nets also received an update on the previously postponed games.

Nash talked about the update, which jams up their schedule a bit.

“There's no easy way to do this, so if we were expecting it to be a sweet little add to the schedule and no blood drawn than I think we'd be foolish,” offered the first-year head coach.

By blood drawn, it seems like he means the added hardship and travel and demands that places on his veteran squad. Kevin Durant and James Harden have remained among league leaders in minutes per game. LaMarcus Aldridge, the team's fourth-leading scorer is banged up now with a foot injury. So squeezing in some games where they weren't meant to fit won't be easy as pie for the Neys.

But once Irving is back in the fold, and later Harris, the team will have some luxuries they've yet to enjoy. This is the third season the pandemic has affected the league, and between vaccine mandates, health and safety protocols and rescheduled games, the Nets have certainly had to stay flexible. They'll go back to work, trying not to think about whether or not Irving will be out there with them in a couple of days.