NETS WILL USE IRVING AFTER ALL
SPORTS WIRE
Star point guard Kyrie Irving is rejoining the Nets, who need help and will settle for it on a part-time basis. The Nets decided Friday the seven-time All-Star would come back to practice and play in road games, even though he remains unable to play at home because he doesn’t meet New York City’s vaccine mandate.
The Nets originally determined Irving wouldn’t play with them at all until he could play in all games. But they’re worried about the heavy workload on Kevin Durant and are short-handed with seven players unavailable because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, so they couldn’t pass up the chance to add Irving.
“We arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols,” general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.
Players on New York’s pro and college teams must be vaccinated against the coronavirus to be able to play in public arenas. Irving refused to get vaccinated and hasn’t practiced with the Nets since October.
Given that layoff, it’s unclear how soon he will be ready to play. But the Nets, despite leading the Eastern Conference with a 21-8 record, are in need of healthy bodies. Starters James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre’ Bembry are in the NBA protocols, along with Paul Millsap, Bruce Brown, James Johnson and Jevon Carter.
Irving still will have to sit out road games against the Knicks and Raptors.
† Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, who had been put in coronavirus protocols Thursday, already was cleared to return Friday, a few hours before the Lakers’ game against the Timberwolves in Minnesota. That still left the Lakers with five players unavailable. They brought in a reinforcement with the signing of Isaiah Thomas, the former AllStar guard trying to get back into the league.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
COVID ALTERS SATURDAY SCHEDULE
No. 21 Kentucky and North Carolina will play each other Saturday in Las Vegas after each team’s opponent in a scheduled doubleheader canceled because of COVID-19 issues. The Wildcats and Tar Heels will tip off at 4:30 p.m. at T-Mobile Arena in the CBS Sports Classic.
North Carolina was supposed to play No. 4 UCLA, but the Bruins announced their virus issues Friday. The Bruins also canceled their home game Wednesday against Alabama State less than an hour before tip.
Kentucky was supposed to play No. 15 Ohio State, but the Buckeyes bowed out Thursday. That game was scheduled for 4:15 p.m. and will not be made up. Ohio State also suspended all team activities for an unspecified time. The Buckeyes are scheduled to host Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday.
No. 2 Duke will host Elon at 3 p.m. Saturday in its last regular-season nonconference game. The game came about after Loyola (Maryland) and Cleveland State canceled on the Blue Devils because of COVID-19 cases in their programs.
† Ryan Hawkins scored 19 points to lead four players in double figures and Creighton closed with a flurry in a 79-59 upset victory over No. 9 Villanova in the Big East opener for both teams.
HOCKEY
WOLVEs’ winning streak at 11
Forward Dominik Bokk scored 2:50 into overtime to extend the Wolves’ winning streak to 11 games — one away from the team record — with a 1-0 win over the host Milwaukee Admirals. Rookie goaltender Eetu Makiniemi made 25 saves to earn his second shutout for the Wolves (19-4-1-1).
† The Jets announced the resignation of coach Paul Maurice and appointed assistant Dave Lowry, the father of Jets forward Adam Lowry, as interim coach for the rest of the season. The Jets then fell 5-2 to the visiting Capitals on Friday night. ✶