Nets’ Irving could return from his suspension Sunday

The Brooklyn Nets are targeting Sunday for Kyrie Irving's return from an indefinite suspension following his repeated refusals to disavow an antisemitic film that he shared on his social media accounts.

Irving, who missed his eighth straight game when the Nets visited the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, was suspended Nov. 3 by the Nets, who concluded that his behavior was “deeply disturbing” and constituted “conduct detrimental to the team.” Per the terms of his suspension, Irving was to be sidelined for at least five games and he needed to fulfill several stipulations, including meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai and completing sensitivity training, before he would be reinstated.

Nets Coach Jacque Vaughn said before

Thursday's game in Portland that Irving could be back in the lineup for a Sunday game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn's Barclays Center, marking the first time that a team representative had publicly discussed a specific date for Irving's possible return.

“There's been some positive synergy and progress toward him returning,” Vaughn said. “It could be as soon as the

Memphis game. That, overall, has been the progress so far.”

Since he was suspended, Irving has issued a public apology on Instagram and met with both Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who said last week that he had “no doubt” that Irving wasn't antisemitic. The Nets are 5-3 without Irving, though they suffered blowout defeats to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday and the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday.

Nets star Kevin Durant has repeatedly said he hopes Irving is able to make a swift return to the court.

Leonard makes his first start

A month into the season, the Los Angeles Clippers are still trying to see the team they're hoping to be. They got a glimpse Thursday night, when Kawhi Leonard was in the starting lineup for the first time and helped stage a fourthquarter rally to beat the visiting Detroit Pistons 96-91.

Leonard finished with six points on 2 of 8 shooting and had five rebounds and four assists in 24 minutes.

“It was good to be back,” he said. “I felt good.”