Nets Players ‘Surprised’ Kyrie Irving Hasn’t Yet Been Activated

The suspension for Nets point guard Kyrie Irving has not reached seven games, with No. 8 likely to take place during Thursday’s road game against the Trail Blazers.

But it appears that Irving’s teammates are ready for the suspension to end — and may have even been expecting him to be activated before Tuesday’s road loss to the Kings.

Per Jared Greenberg of TNT, Nets players were “surprised” that Irving’s suspension has yet to be lifted. It was initially set for a “minimum of five games” by the Nets. Some suspect it actually could hit double figures.

“It’s unclear at this point when Kyrie will return from suspension or exactly what requirements need to be met to get him back at the court,” Greenberg reported.

“Some Nets tell me they’re surprised. They thought he would be active (Tuesday). Markieff Morris telling me this morning at shootaround he doesn’t understand why Kyrie’s not back yet.”

Nets owner Joe Tsai recently told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that Irving still has to complete several steps before being allowed to return. Irving was suspended for sharing a link to antisemitic material sold on Amazon.

“He still has work to do,” Tsai said, via Lewis. “He has to show people that he’s sorry. What’s important — and what people miss — is he only apologized after he was suspended.”

The Nets gave Irving a list of steps he must take before being allowed to return. That list reportedly consists of the following:

• Issue a verbal apology and condemn the antisemitic film he shared.
• Share that apology on social media.
• Complete sensitivity training.
• Meet with Jewish leaders in the Brooklyn community.
• Meet with Tsai.
• Make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes.

Irving has already met separately with Tsai and NBA commissioner Adam Silver (full post). He has apologized on his Instagram account as well.

"Markieff Morris told me, 'He doesn't understand why Kyrie is not back yet.'"@JaredSGreenberg gives the latest update on the Nets pic.twitter.com/03ol8N4TWk

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) November 16, 2022