Duke basketball: Kyrie Irving will not play in NBA’s resumed season
Former Duke basketball star Kyrie Irving will not play in the NBA’s resumed regular season and playoffs because of a shoulder injury.
Soon after the NBA suspended its operations because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Brooklyn Nets became the trendy pick to win the NBA Finals once the season resumes because of the players the team could potentially be getting back.
Kevin Durant (achilles) and Kyrie Irving (shoulder) had been ruled out for the season, but many fans thought that the duo could finally take the court together for Brooklyn because of the extended time off.
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However, that will not be the case as neither player will suit up for the Nets in the 2019-20 season as the NBA is set to resume operations in Orlando on July 31.
Brooklyn will play in eight regular season games and then enter the NBA Playoffs, presumably as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.
In his first season with the Brooklyn Nets, Irving played in just 20 games, averaging 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game on 47.8 percent shooting from the field and 39.4 percent from 3-point territory.
A shoulder injury had been bothering the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft all season long, and that ailment finally came to a head after Irving suffered a knee injury on February 1 against the Washington Wizards.
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After consultation with the medical staff, team doctors, and the front office, the Nets decided it would be the best decision for the New Jersey native to get his shoulder rectified and be fully healthy for the 2020-21 season.
After all, the 2019-20 season was just a trial run for Brooklyn as Kevin Durant has yet to take the floor after recovering from achilles surgery after suffering the injury in the 2019 NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors.
Durant also made it very clear that he will not be taking part in the NBA’s resumed season and will continue working out to prepare himself for next season.
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Despite not playing in Orlando, Kyrie Irving said that he may take the trip down to Florida to help support his teammates in their attempt to win an NBA Championship this season.
While the immediate future might not provide Brooklyn Nets fans with the news they want to hear, the two stars of the franchise will have extra time to rest, recover, and prepare their bodies for the 2020-21 season as the league is anticipating an Opening Night around December 1.