Nets deny report that Kyrie Irving could miss 2-3 more weeks

Kyrie Irving has missed 19 games with what the Nets are calling a “right shoulder impingement.”

Irving, according to Brandon Robinson of Heavy, could miss 2-3 more weeks with what the Nets are privately calling “thoracic bursitis.”

Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News:

“What you’re telling me — whatever that report said is not true,” the coach said. “We’re still in the same place the last time I talked. Like I said, the thing is we haven’t gotten to the contact with him. We’re on-court workout situation but the contact just hasn’t been cleared yet. I think that’s the next hurdle. I wish I could tell you when that is. Hopefully sooner rather than later.”

As far as the timeline, the proof will be in the pudding. The Nets haven’t publicly revealed an expected return date. We’ll see when Irving actually plays again.

As far as the nature of the injury, the NBA – with its focus on transparency amid embracing gambling – should maybe look into it. At minimum, Brooklyn hasn’t been very forthcoming.

Atkinson’s response seems to be more of a reflexive denial than anything else. If Irving isn’t going to miss 2-3 more weeks, what’s the true story? The Nets aren’t providing an alternative other than: not that.