Although Kyrie Irving was able to play against the Denver Nuggets on November 14 after being declared questionable the day before due to a right shoulder impingement, there was still reason to be concerned with the point guard’s health in the near future.
A week later, Irving has missed each of Brooklyn’s last three games. And there’s been no indication he’s close to a return. Keny Atkinson told reporters before Brooklyn’s win over the Charlotte Hornets Irving isn’t expected to practice Thursday, which brings his availability for Friday’s game against the Sacramento Kings into question.
Irving has been deemed day-to-day throughout the process, but since sitting out on Saturday, there’s been no sign he would suit up for any game. Atkinson couldn’t give reporters a more distinct timeline prior to Wednesday’s game, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post.
I don’t think it’s a long-term thing, [but] I wouldn’t say we’re being over-cautious. He has a situation that’s prevented him from playing. This a collaborative thing. We’ve talked about it before. This is the best course of action. Do I think it’s a long-term thing? No. I don’t think he can play through it right now quite honestly.
Atkinson continued:
That’s where we are, and we’ll see where that goes. He’s working on it with our performance team, working to get well. … The shoulder is just sensitive, especially for a point guard, like a quarterback. The way he shoots it, passing, the whole thing. He’s working through it right now, and we’ve got to work through not having him quite honestly.
From the looks of it, Spencer Dinwiddie could possibly continue to start at point guard for the Nets through Thanksgiving — which means Irving would miss the chance to face his old team, the Boston Celtics.