Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is expected to be cleared to play Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, league sources with knowledge of the situation told The Athletic. Here’s what you need to know:
- Irving will miss his eighth consecutive game on Thursday night against Portland while serving a team-mandated suspension for posting a link to a film with antisemitic material on Oct. 27.
- Sources close to the Nets and the league say that both sides are happy with what Irving has done throughout the process, especially given the number of community leaders he has met with.
- One source, who was granted anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, said that Irving chose to go “above and beyond” what was asked of him.
- Irving, a seven-time All-Star guard who is averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Nets this season, hasn’t played since Nov. 1.
Backstory
After Irving shared a link to the film on social media, he met with the media on Oct. 29 and Nov. 3 and failed to unequivocally apologize for posting the content and fully condemn the film.
In response, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association made multiple public comments admonishing hate speech, with NBA commissioner Adam Silver delivering a strong statement that mentioned he planned to meet with the seven-time All-Star.
The Nets suspended Irving for “no less than five games” and said in a statement that the organization “made repeated attempts to work with (him) to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate.”
Since then, Irving met with Silver on Nov. 8, with sources describing a “productive and understanding” visit in New York City. Two days later, Irving and his family met with Nets co-owners Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai.
“We spent quality time to understand each other and it’s clear to me that Kyrie does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group,” Tsai tweeted on Nov. 11. “The Nets and Kyrie, together with the NBA and NBPA, are working constructively toward a process of forgiveness, healing and education.”
Nike has suspended its relationship with Irving, effective immediately. The company said, in part: “At Nike, we believe there is no place for hate speech and we condemn any form of antisemitism. We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the situation and its impact on everyone.”
Following Irving’s suspension, The Athletic reported that the team informed Irving of a list of six steps he needed to take in order to return to the team.
“(The Anti-Defamation League) never set the terms for Kyrie’s return. At the end of the day, it is up to the Nets, the NBA and the union to figure out whether it’s appropriate for him to return or not,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, told The Athletic on Thursday.
“I can say from my point of view that I take Kyrie at his word that he is truly sorry and that he’s willing to put in the work to educate himself and engage in constructive dialogue. I also trust that the Nets, the NBA and the union are making the right call and if they’re satisfied, I have no reason not to be.”
A source close to the Anti-Defamation League added that the ADL does not believe Irving is antisemitic.
Required reading
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