All-Star Guard Suspension Kyrie Irving The process required for a return to play is nearing completion, and a return to the Brooklyn Nets could coincide with Sunday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Barclays Center, sources told ESPN. .
Irving will miss an eighth straight game in Portland on Thursday night, but his nearly two-week suspension is coming to an end, sources said.
“Kyrie continues his journey of dialogue and education,” National Basketball Players Association executive director Tamika Tremaglio told ESPN Wednesday night. Having wrestled with the weight of the impact of , Kylie rejects any form of anti-Semitism and is dedicated to improving himself and raising the level of understanding, and he plans to continue this journey. into the future to ensure that his words and actions are consistent with his pursuit of truth and knowledge.”
Tremaglio and the union worked closely with Irving, the Nets and the NBA to help him develop a unique remedy to end his suspension, sources said. What might have started as a rigid list of prerequisites evolved into Irving himself taking ownership of the process. This is what the Nets and the league wanted.
Irving is serving a minimum five-game suspension without pay for failing to first apologize and condemn social media links to films filled with anti-Semitic content.
Irving’s apology, posted on Instagram hours after his suspension was announced on Nov. 4, came as a result of two press conferences and a public statement with the Nets that included no apology or condemnation. it was issued.
Irving has personally met with Nets owner Joe Tsai and commissioner Adam Silver and publicly stated that he does not believe Irving is an anti-Semite.
At the time of Irving’s suspension, the Nets released a statement saying, “It is deeply disturbing that they did not deny their anti-Semitism when they were given the clear opportunity to do so. , constitutes conduct that is contrary to our organizational values and harmful to the team.”
In a memo to NBPA members on Friday, the union told NBA players that “the rights of Kyrie and all future players are protected at all times,” adding that the union is “looking.” .[s] We will move forward immediately to resolve all issues to the satisfaction of all parties.”
The NBPA described the recent meeting as “an effort to increase understanding and open clear lines of communication between all parties.”
The Nets are 4-3 during Irving’s suspension, including a 153-121 loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night. Brooklyn is 6-9 overall, putting him 5.5 games behind No. 1 Boston in the Eastern Conference standings.
Irving, 30, is averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Nets this season.
