League scrutinizes Irving after seeing party video
The NBA is investigating whether Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving violated the league’s coronavirus protocols because a video that emerged Monday on social media appeared to show him at a crowded indoor party without a face mask.
The NBA’s health protocols prohibit players from attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people. If the league determines that Irving broke these rules, he could be fined more than $400,000 for each game he has to miss while quarantining.
Sean Marks, the Nets general manager, said in a statement that the team was aware of the video, which it described as showing Irving at a “family gathering.”
“We are reviewing the circumstances with both Kyrie and the NBA in order to determine compliance with health and safety protocols,” Marks said.
Representatives for Irving could not be reached for comment.
It’s unclear when and where the gathering took place, but the video compounds puzzling aspects of the season for Irving, who has not played since Jan. 5 for what the team has called “personal reasons.”
Before last Thursday’s game against Philadelphia, Nets coach Steve Nash said that he had not heard from Irving and did not know why he wasn’t playing. Before Tuesday night’s game against Denver,
Nash declined to say more than that the organization had been in touch with Irving.
“There’s been communication, but I think that’s all in-house,” Nash said. “We keep that to ourselves, and we try to figure out our homefront privately.”
Asked if he was confident that Irving would return this season, Nash said: “Sure. Like I said, right now, I’ve got to focus on coaching this team and getting the best out of them. So I can’t make any predictions, prognostications about things that are
outside of this building.”
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Nets 122, Nuggets
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116: Kevin Durant had 34 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds as host Brooklyn rallied from 18 down. Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds for Denver.
Jazz 117, Cavaliers 87:
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Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points as visiting Utah rolled over the injury-depleted Cavaliers. Cedi Osman paced Cleveland with 17 points and six assists.
ELSEWHERE
Lakers: The NBA fined
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Los Angeles forward Markieff Morris $35,000 and Rockets center DeMarcus Cousins $10,000 for their roles in an altercation during Los Angeles’ victory at Houston on Sunday night.
Tighter COVID-19
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protocols: The NBA and the union that represents the league’s players have agreed to tighter health and safety protocols over the next two weeks because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing. The league is ordering players and staff to follow strict regulations while in home markets, prohibiting them from leaving their residences except for “team-related activities at the team facility or arena, exercise outside, or (to) perform essential activities, or as a result of extraordinary circumstances.”