Nets guard Kyrie Irving has started to do some on-court exercises as he continues to rehab from a right shoulder impingement, head coach Kenny Atkinson said, as relayed by Colin Martin of SNY.
Irving has missed the past eight games and will sit when the team hosts Miami on Sunday, with the Nets accruing a 6-2 record over that stretch.
“First thing about Kyrie, he started on-court work, which is a real positive sign for us,” Atkinson said. “He will be out for Miami. And then we’ll see how it progresses. The fact that he started the on-court work is good news for us. Out for Miami and then we’ll see going forward.”
Irving, who signed a four-year, $141MM contract to join the Nets in free agency, has averaged 28.5 points and 7.2 assists through 11 games this season. Brooklyn guard Spencer Dinwiddie has helped carry the load in his absence, keeping the team afloat with a 10-9 record.
Despite resuming some on-court work, Irving hasn’t been cleared to begin any work that involves contact, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews (Twitter link).
The Nets are playing without Irving, Kevin Durant (torn Achilles’ rehab), Caris LeVert (thumb) and Wilson Chandler (suspension). The team has sported a starting group of Dinwiddie, Garrett Temple, Joe Harris, Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen in Irving’s absence.
But is he a leader?
No contact. How befitting for guy who in retrospect seemed to doing that every drive to the rack. If avoiding contact hasnt changed im gonna say chances are decent he also still isnt a “leader” whatever that is. Granted when hes been on the court for the Nets hes played at a much better level than any stretch with the C’s that i can think of.