Irving requests trade from Brooklyn

Kyrie Irving's tumultuous NBA career is set to take another dramatic turn after multiple outlets reported Friday the Brooklyn Nets guard has requested a trade.

According to the report, the Nets have been made aware of Irving's request and the eight-time all-star is hoping to find a new landing spot before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

This season alone has been a rocky ride for Irving, who still has managed to score 27.1 points per game with 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds in 40 contests despite off-the-court issues.

Irving was suspended by the Nets Nov. 3 following his social media posts that promoted a movie featuring antisemitic themes. He sat out eight games. The incident led to Nike ending its eight-year partnership with Irving, who turns 31 next month.

In the 2021-22 season, Irving did not make his debut until Jan. 5 after refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Even after he returned, he was not able to play in home games because of COVID-19 protocols in New York City. He didn't make his home season debut until March.

In total, Irving played in just 29 games in 2021-22, averaging 27.4 points with 5.8 assists and 4.4 rebounds..

DONCIC STAYS HOME

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic will not join the team for the start of a five-game road trip Saturday against the Golden State Warriors as he deals with a right heel contusion.

Doncic had an MRI on Friday, and ESPN reported the results showed the injury is “not severe.” Has not been ruled out from joining the team on the road, per ESPN.

In 47 games this season, Doncic is averaging a career-high 33.4 points per game — good for second in the league — along with 8.9 rebounds and 8.2 assists. He was named a starter in the upcoming all-star game.

SWIMMER BANNED

Canadian swimmer Markus Thormeyer has been banned from competition for 12 months following a doping violation. However, because Thormeyer accepted a voluntary provisional suspension on Feb. 15, 2022, his period of ineligibility will end on Feb. 14.

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport made the announcement on Friday. It says Thormeyer tested positive for a prohibited anabolic agent during an out-of-competition doping control in January 2022. SARM LGD4033, designed to treat muscle wasting and weakness associated with aging was present in his urine.

Arbitrator Yves Fortier ruled Thormeyer unknowingly ingested the prohibited substance and was at no significant fault.

Thormeyer, 25, from Newmarket, Ont., won bronze at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the 100-metre backstroke.