BEARD IS BACK!
But Nets will likely have to wait for Kyrie a bit
Pump the brakes on Kyrie Irving playing on Christmas. Even if Irving were to clear the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols in the next two days, Nets coach Steve Nash said the star guard will need a period to ramp-up his conditioning since the team doesn’t know what kind of shape he’s in returning to the roster.
“When you’re at home working out by yourself, it’s a lot different,” Nash said. “So there is, I think, a rampup ... an opportunity for him to play a little bit — whether it’s with our group or the stay-ready group — whenever he’s out of protocols. So I think there’s a ramp-up for sure.”
Irving has not played or practiced with the team since the Nets ruled him ineligible to play as a part-time player during the offseason. The Nets walked that ruling back last week, when eight players tested positive for COVID-19 and entered the league’s health and safety protocols. Irving entered the protocols shortly after and, like other players, either needs two negative COVID-19 test results 24 hours apart or must go a 10-day period of testing before returning to the team.
James Harden is now available to play on Christmas Day against the Lakers. Harden first tested positive for COVID-19 on Dec. 14. Paul Millsap and Jevon Carter will also be available to play after clearing protocols on
Thursday.
“We are not expecting anyone else to come out of protocols, but it is possible,” Nash said. “You have to do two negative tests 24 hours apart. I guess that gives us tonight and tomorrow night to return two negatives, but we are not predicting anybody to come out necessarily.”
Rookies Cam Thomas, David Duke Jr. and Kessler Edwards are the latest Nets to enter protocols. The rookies join Irving, Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, Bruce Brown, DeAndre’ Bembry and Day’Ron Sharpe. Patty Mills and Blake Griffin never entered protocols and, barring a positive test result in the coming days, are available to play against the Lakers. The Nets also signed four players to 10-day contracts using hardship exceptions: veteran guard Langston Galloway, fourth-year journeyman Shaquille Harrison, veteran forward James Ennis and second-year forward Wenyen Gabriel.
Nash said the team doesn’t anticipate adding more replacement players via 10-day contracts, but also suggested it’s not his call.
“It’s a tricky one,” he said. “First of all, I’m probably not the one to ask, but I don’t think we’re gonna sign any more players, but it’s probably a question for (GM Sean Marks).”
The Nets are “not certain, (but) hopeful” third-year big man Nic Claxton will be available to play against the Lakers and then on Dec. 27 against the Clippers. Claxton did not enter protocols, but missed the Dec. 18 loss to the Magic with left wrist soreness.
Claxton has been unable to catch a break since the Nets drafted him 31st overall in the 2019 draft. He has had a shoulder injury, knee tendinopathy, COVID-19 and a reported bout with mononucleosis that cost him 17 straight games earlier this season.
HOW IS JOE HARRIS?
Sharpshooter Joe Harris has been out of the rotation since suffering a severe ankle sprain in Oklahoma City on Nov. 14. He subsequently underwent surgery to remove a bone particle from his left ankle. The Nets have not provided a timeline on Harris’ return, but Nash said he is improving and has progressed to limited workouts on the court.
STILL NO. 1
The Nets have lived by many a mantra, and “control what you can control” is one of them.
Despite having games postponed, the Nets (21-9) still remain the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and one of just four teams with a single-digit loss column. They are using this time off to reset for the next segment of the season.
“I think we’ve got to look at it as an opportunity to kind of transition back to playing,” Nash said. “We hit the reset button, you know, refocus on some of our principles and identities. And for us, it’s always about progress.”