Just after Christmas, Nets coach Kenny Atkinson actively denied that Kyrie Irving — who has not played since Nov. 14 — had thoracic bursitis in his shoulder and would miss two-or-three more weeks. The Nets would only call it a “right shoulder impingement.”
Saturday, Irving admitted he’s dealing with bursitis in his shoulder and would miss more time. Like a couple of weeks (in addition to the 22 games he’s already missed). He’s gotten a pain shot and remains hopeful he can avoid surgery, but gave no timeline for his return.
"It's definitely frustrating"
— SNY (@SNYtv) January 4, 2020
Kyrie Irving says he's working hard to recover from his shoulder injury pic.twitter.com/e05Svbt1Cq
Kyrie Irving, talking to reporters for the first time since Nov. 14, said he is "doing a lot better." He said he is struggling to lift his shoulder when taking jump shots.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 4, 2020
Irving: “There was some bursitis in there that was impacting me.” Says it started vs. Pelicans. #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 4, 2020
The game against New Orleans was Nov. 4, Irving played in four games after that before the shoulder pain forced him to sit.
Kyrie Irving; “It just sucks man. It really is disheartening.” Went to Phoenix to see a shoulder specialist. #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) January 4, 2020
Kyrie Irving has bursitis in the shoulder and has taken cortisone shots to try and avoid in-season surgery, which would keep him out 3-4 months.
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 4, 2020
If cortisone doesn't work, arthroscopic surgery will come.
Irving admitted that with Kevin Durant out for the season, the idea of shutting it down and having the surgery crossed his mind. However, at 16-17 the Nets are currently the seven seed in the East and look like a playoff team. Irving said he wants to be part of that.
Brooklyn started 4-7 with Irving playing but had challenges integrating Irving as team leader, one very different from their previous culture. Since he sat out, the Nets are 12-10 with Spencer Dinwiddie as the point guard, moving the ball and stepping up. Dinwiddie has this season’s Nets playing like last season’s surprise playoff team in Brooklyn.
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