The Brooklyn Nets were extremely shorthanded on Thursday when they took on the Philadelphia 76ers in the Barclays Center. Nets superstar Kyrie Irving also sat out Thursday's contest and it was later revealed that the six-time All-Star “just didn't want to play” — something that Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash addressed after the game.
Nash admitted that he isn't completely abreast with the situation, but that he is confident that the rumors about Irving's unwillingness to take the floor are untrue (h/t Brian Lewis of the New York Post):
Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving, says he hasn't spoken to him, but doesn't believe that the guard "just didn't want to play." #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 8, 2021
Kevin Durant has been out due to health protocols, and Spencer Dinwiddie suffered a season-ending injury earlier in the campaign. Irving's absence meant that the Nets were missing no less than three starters against the Sixers. Somehow, though, Brooklyn still managed to carve out a 122-109 win over Joel Embiid and the 76ers.
Joe Harris led the way for the Nets, scoring a game-high 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting, to go along with six triples, six boards, four assists, and one steal in 30 minutes off the bench. Four out of five of Brooklyn's starters also logged double-digit points, so it was a concerted effort from the entire squad.
As for Irving, this appears to be yet another problematic issue for the 28-year-old point guard. There have been no reports of an injury, and he was officially listed as out due to “personal reasons.”
This situation is currently shrouded with mystery, so it would not be ideal to make assumptions as of now. We'll be sure to pass along any new information as they come, so stay tuned.
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