Will Kyrie Irving Play Tonight? Brooklyn Nets vs. Detroit Pistons: Injury Updates, Lineup and Game Predictions

With Kevin Durant sitting out of games, it’s been downhill for the Brooklyn Nets. They are on a two-game losing streak as they get ready to face the Detroit Pistons for the first time this season. However, the Pistons are one of the worst teams in the NBA right now, with a 5-18 record.

But even there meager five games that they have won, have usually been against the best of teams in the league. With both teams down on their luck, who will one-up the other?

Brooklyn Nets injury update and lineup prediction

Unfortunately for the Brooklyn Nets, they got roped into the COVID-19 drama after Kevin Durant was suspected to be in touch with a person who tested positive for the virus. For now, he is listed as out until Friday until the contact tracing procedure is done and he completes his mandatory quarantine period.

Also, Kyrie Irving missed the last game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of a finger injury. This really hampered their performance as Joel Embiid and Co. crushed them with a 124-108 score. James Harden‘s 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists weren’t enough. With Irving still probable for the game, Harden will have to pull out all the stops so they don’t lose to a team like the Pistons.

With Iman Shumpert and Nicholas Claxton also ruled out for this game, the predicted lineup would be Jeff Green, Joe Harris, James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

Detroit Pistons injury update and lineup prediction

The Detroit Pistons just came out of an exhausting double-overtime loss against the Lakers. But the game was worth a watch, as they pushed the reigning champions’ limits till the buzzer finally went off. This means that they could be trouble for the short-handed Nets.

Despite having a few star-caliber players, the Pistons have failed to come together as a team for victories. In this matchup, the man that they will rely on, like always, will be Jerami Grant. In his last three games, he has totaled up to 80 points altogether and is averaging 24 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3 assists, and is shooting 44.7% from the floor.

However, it looks like the Pistons might not have all their troops lined up either. While Dennis Smith Jr., Frank Jackson, Delon Wright, and Wayne Ellington are listed as probable, Jahlil Okafor is officially out.

With that, the predicted lineup would be Saddiq Bey, Jerami Grant, Blake Griffin, Mason Plumlee, and Sekou Doumbouya.

Game prediction

If Irving returns for this matchup, Harden will have enough help to come out of the matchup with an easy win. But without him, the Pistons might give the Nets a run for their money. The Nets are still the more likely winner of this game.