Kyrie Irving rumored to spend another week away from the Brooklyn Nets, allegedly seen partying in social media videos

(Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

By Anthony Payero

(BROOKLYN, N.Y.) The National Basketball Association (NBA) is expected to examine videos making rounds on social media in which Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving can be seen at a family party, as the Nets have no timetable of his return to the lineup, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Irving was already scheduled to miss his fourth straight game Tuesday as the Nets prepare to meet the Denver Nuggets, with expectations that he would miss Wednesday's game against cross-town rivals, the New York Knicks, and Saturday's game against the Orlando Magic. The team reports the cause of his absence is due to personal reasons.

The videos of the family party — which went viral on Monday night into Tuesday — show a smiling Irving as he dances with his sister, Asia, while she blows out candles. The events qualify as a breach of the NBA's COVID-19 protocols if they can find out how recent the footage is.

The league's coronavirus guidelines frown upon players going to clubs, bars and lounges. The rules are also against players going to gatherings with large groups of more than 15 people, according to ESPN.

The Nets have refrained from releasing any statements on the former NBA champion, as head coach Steve Nash says it is Irving's responsibility to explain his absence.

“Ky’s still on personal leave and all the communication with Ky between the organization I’m going to keep private and I’m sure you’ll hear from him at some point,” Nash said (via Ian Begley of SNY). “I’m not going to go into any of the talks with Ky, that’s just a private matter."

The investigation follows a troublesome week for the league, as it is currently reviewing its coronavirus health and safety rules. The NBA canceled three games this week due to positive COVID-19 tests and a number of quarantines related to contact tracing.

The league's Board of Governors is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. General managers gathered on a call Monday to emphasize the importance of following the league's protocols.

If a player does not attend a game due to a COVID-19 violation, they lose 1/72nd of their salary, according to league rules.

Follow me to see more articles like this.

...

Follow