The Brooklyn Nets will try to leave their off-the-court drama in their rearview mirror on Friday when they open a three-game road trip against the Washington Wizards.
The Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five games without pay Thursday night after he repeatedly failed to disavow antisemitism or apologize for a social media post about a book and movie that featured antisemitic tropes, which caused a public firestorm.
Nets owner Joe Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver condemned Irving’s post, and Irving later acknowledged the “negative impact” he caused in a joint statement with the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League.
However, Irving did not apologize in the statement and the ADL has since refused a $500,000 donation from him. Irving also avoided apologizing during a tense meeting with the media Thursday afternoon.
Then there’s what’s happening on the court. The Nets have been idle since dropping their fifth outing in six games with a 108-99 setback to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. That came on the heels of the team parting ways with former coach Steve Nash, and reports circulating that the team has engaged in a process to name Ime Udoka, suspended by the Boston Celtics, as a potential replacement.
Brooklyn is surrendering a generous 118.8 points per game and allowing the opposition to make 41.2 percent of its 3-point attempts.
Kevin Durant collected 32 points and nine rebounds on Tuesday. The 12-time All-Star and former league MVP has made 22 of 38 shots over his last two games.
Kristaps Porzingis followed up his 32-point, nine-rebound performance in Washington’s 118-111 loss to Philadelphia on Monday with 30 and nine, respectively, in the Wizards’ 121-111 victory over the 76ers on Wednesday. Porzingis also had three assists, three blocks and one steal in the more recent game.
Porzingis averages team-best totals in rebounds (8.5) and blocks (1.3), while Bradley Beal leads the club in points (21.8) and assists (6.0).
Rui Hachimura had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the seventh double-double of his career and his first since he had 20 points and 10 boards in a 113-106 loss to Brooklyn on March 21, 2021.
