NEW YORK – Kyrie Irving found himself in a difficult situation after making a social media post around a book and movie featuring antisemitic ideas a few weeks ago.
Irving was suspended by the Nets organization on November 3rd for the “harmful impact of his conduct” relating to his social media posts and after several apologies and actions to display his remorse he was finally reinstated and eligible to play Sunday night.
“I’m not antisemitic,” Irving said in the interview with SNY. “I never have been. I don’t have hate in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone that identifies as a Jew. I’m not anti-Jewish or any of that. And it’s been difficult to sit at home with my family with them seeing all of this and having questions.”
Irving said he has had “very moving, very impactful” conversations recently that have allowed for a “greater perspective” about how his posts hurt people.
The Nets have gone 5-3 without Irving in the lineup and after missing eight games, I’m sure Kevin Durant would love to have him back.
In a viral interview with Chris Haynes, Durant stated “Look at our starting lineup…Edmond Sumner, Royce O’Neale, Joe Harris, [Nic] Claxton and me. It’s not disrespect, but what are you expecting from that group? You expect us to win because I’m out there. So if you’re watching from that lens, you’re expecting us to play well because No. 7 is out there.”
KD later stated in another interview that he didn’t mean it in a disrespectful manner, “Maybe I should have explained myself a little bit better to Chris Haynes, but it wasn’t like this,” Durant said. “I was trying to protect my teammates from the expectations from everybody else. Like, relax a little bit, let us work this out until everything gets right… I definitely could have worded it better. I won’t put that on anybody but myself.”
Despite his low expectations for a Kyrie absent lineup, KD made it clear that he was excited to get Irving back.
In an interview before Thursday’s game in Portland Durant stated, “It’s exciting for everybody. I mean we miss Ky. we miss his presence on the floor,” said KD. “I haven’t talked to him since we’ve been on the road trip the last couple of days, but we’re looking forward to his return to the team. Definitely gonna give us a much-needed spark.”
Irving was finally given the green light as he returned to the starting lineup ahead of their matchup with the Grizzlies, who were without Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.
The Nets came into the game on a two-game losing streak after letting up the second most points in franchise history during a dismantling 153-121 loss at the hands of the Sacramento Kings Thursday night.
Irving’s return indeed provided the “much-needed spark” that Durant expected from him as the Nets were able to get back to their winning ways with a 127-115 win which puts them at 8-9 on the season. Kyrie totaled 12 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes while Durant added a team-high 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. Ben Simmons, who started at center tonight, also put together the best game of his season so far with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and five assists.
