Some might say the Milwaukee Bucks just got lucky in Game 4 and if Kyrie Irving didn’t have to exit, the series might not have been tied. But say what you will, the Bucks didn’t need Irving to be out to win Game 3, and Irving’s absence only played a part in their victory. With their chances at a title on the line, the Brooklyn Nets need to be extremely worried about Irving’s playing status.
Will the Brooklyn Nets lose Kyrie Irving too?
It seems like the injury plague has hit the Nets the hardest in the postseason. First, James Harden went down because of a hamstring injury and hasn’t been back since, and Irving is on the line. Kevin Durant and Kyrie’s partnership was outshining everyone else on the court. Their stellar numbers had the Milwaukee Bucks down 2-0.
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But it seems like the tables might turn around if KD does not return. With under 6 minutes left in the second quarter of Game 4, Kyrie dropped on the floor. He was floundering in pain while grabbing his right ankle. This came because of his shaky landing after his attempt to drop a bucket.
Kyrie Irving goes down hard with an ankle injury pic.twitter.com/Itu2E7xIem
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 13, 2021
Right afterward, he made his way to the locker room and missed the remainder of the game, finishing the night with only 11 points. When Irving didn’t return, Brooklyn’s concerns began to rise.
ESPN’s Rachel Nichols provided an update and stated, “I’m told Kyrie was in a walking boot and using crutches after spraining his ankle during today’s Nets-Bucks Game 4. Steve Nash says that x-rays on the ankle were negative and that Kyrie will undergo further testing/evaluation tomorrow.”
I’m told Kyrie was in a walking boot and using crutches after spraining his ankle during today’s Nets-Bucks Game 4. Steve Nash says that x-rays on the ankle were negative and that Kyrie will undergo further testing/evaluation tomorrow.
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 13, 2021
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Will they force James Harden’s return?
With the series all tied up, the Brooklyn Nets are under more pressure than ever. From becoming the team that was destined to win the title this season, they could become the team that didn’t stand up to anyone’s expectations.
And now that Irving might be out, KD will be holding the fort alone for the Nets. So is it time for Brooklyn to bring out the big guns and get Harden back? Head Coach Steve Nash had a firm no to this question.
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He stated, “I don’t want to rush [Harden] back and jeopardize doing something worse, or making this a long-term injury.” While this makes sense, what other choice do the Nets have?
Steve Nash was also asked by a reporter if Kyrie being hurt created greater urgency to get James Harden back from his hamstring injury. Steve gave a firm no, saying “I don't want to rush [Harden] back and jeopardize doing something worse, or making this a long-term injury."
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) June 13, 2021
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Can KD alone bring the Nets to survive this series and take them to the ECF? Or will the trio have to wait longer to claim what they believe is theirs?
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