Although Kyrie Irving was not on the Nets injury report for Tuesday or Wednesday ahead of Brooklyn’s matchup with the Detroit Pistons at Barclays Center, the point guard’s status was still in question. The death of Kobe Bryant and his daughter, Gianna, on Sunday deeply affected Irving, leading him to sit out Brookyln’s game against the New York Knicks. Irving was very close to the Laker legend.
But Irving was back at practice on Tuesday, and Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson informed reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game that the point guard will be available for the Nets, per Alex Schiffer of The Athletic.
Additionally, reporters were told the Nets will leave two seats open during Wednesday’s game — the same two seats Bryant and his daughter sat in when they saw the Nets play the Atlanta Hawks on December 21.
The “Hollywood Seats” Kobe Bryant and Gianna sat in for the #Nets–#Hawks game right before Christmas. Empty in their honor. They’ll have flowers laid on them before tipoff. #nba pic.twitter.com/T9W12OGlkD
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 29, 2020
The Nets also have “Bryant” on the backs of the Chinese New Year warmup shirts they’re wearing ahead of Wednesday’s game.
Nets have “Bryant” on the back of their Chinese New Year warmup shirts in honor of Kobe Bryant. pic.twitter.com/QYM8PxL4yq
— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) January 29, 2020