Nets fans have to settle for the Oklahoma City Thunder reunion tour again on Monday because Brooklyn’s big three will not take the floor together as a unit against the Milwaukee Bucks. Kyrie Irving has been ruled out once again due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Irving has not played for the Nets since January 5, when he led Brooklyn to a 130-96 win over the Utah Jazz without Kevin Durant. The Nets have gone 4-2 throughout Irving’s six-game absence, winning each of their last three contests — Brooklyn’s most recent win being James Harden’s Nets debut.
Irving initially missed time due to personal reasons, but his last three games have been due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols after he received a $50,000 fine from the NBA for his violation of “the league’s Health and Safety Protocols, which among other things prohibit attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs or similar establishments.” Irving also had to forfeit his salary from the games missed during his quarantine.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving continues to ramp up his conditioning and will miss tonight's game against Milwaukee, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 18, 2021
When the NBA announced the fine, the league also stated Irving could return as early as Saturday’s game if he continued to test negative.
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