This had been expected (as you can read below), but before Brooklyn was set to take on the 76ers Thursday it became official:
Kyrie Irving will have shoulder surgery and is out for the season, Nets GM Sean Marks confirmed.
Sean Marks says it’s a consensus that Irving will get surgery and be out for the season. #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 20, 2020
#Nets GM Sean Marks says they’re looking long term over the next two years, not two months, and that Kyrie Irving will be back in time for summer workouts.
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 20, 2020
This is the right move. This was always a placeholder season for Brooklyn, until they could get Kevin Durant (torn Achilles) and Irving on the court together next season.
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Kyrie Irving injured his shoulder earlier this season, opted against surgery, missed 26 games, returned, injured his knee then aggravated his shoulder.
It might be time for that shoulder surgery.
Shams Charania of The Athletic:
Nets star Kyrie Irving is likely to undergo procedure on his right shoulder and miss extended period of time, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2020
I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends Irving’s season. The Nets are looking forward to pairing Irving and injured Kevin Durant next season.
This latest setback raises questions about Irving’s ability to stay healthy and productive. We shouldn’t assume Durant will ever return to his elite form, either. But at least Brooklyn has major upside with such talented players.
Even they don’t get an opportunity to take advantage this season, the Nets (25-28) will likely still make the playoffs. Spencer Dinwiddie will take charge at point guard, just as he did with Irving previously sidelined.
Brooklyn will visit Boston on March 3. Celtics fans were salty about Irving missing the Nets’ previous trip to Boston. I doubt that changes if Irving doesn’t face his former team in a couple weeks.
But Irving and Brooklyn are looking at the bigger picture after a significant injury like this.