Brooklyn Nets star players Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and LaMarcus Aldridge all have cleared COVID-19 protocols, per ESPN. They are expected to join the team soon after Aldridge was in the protocol for two weeks and Durant and Irving for ten days. The Brooklyn Nets suffered one of the worst virus breakouts out of all the NBA teams. More than ten players entered the protocols at the same time. Ultimately, this caused the NBA to postpone three Nets games consecutively.
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge have cleared the league’s health and safety protocols pic.twitter.com/knAKT8cb9m
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 28, 2021
The games postponed were the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, and the Portland Trail Blazers. They returned to the court for Saturday’s Christmas showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers and Monday’s game with the Los Angeles Clippers. Both games resulted in wins for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are set to face off next Thursday at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. The last opponent Durant got to play against before entering protocols. Durant record 34 points and 11 rebounds in that game and got the victory over the 76ers.
While Durant is returning in the game on Thursday. Unfortunately, Irving is not while he is still not permitted to play games without a vaccination. This means the Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden.
Nets plans with Kyrie Irving’s return
While Durant is returning in the game on Thursday, Irving is not while he is still not permitted to play in games without a vaccination. This means the Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden. Irving can only play in games outside of New York and Toronto. As a result, his first game suited back will take place on January 5th where they will play against the Indiana Pacers. Nets head coach Steve Nash is prepared for the time Irving will need to get back in game shape.
Irving hasn’t touched the court since the preseason when Brooklyn decided to cut ties with the star player. The Nets were forced to change their minds due to the circumstances of the season. The league being swept with this outbreak didn’t leave many choices for the Nets front office.
