Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving (11) Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving addresses media for first time since leaving Nets

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 1/19/21

Kyrie Irving returned to practicing with the Brooklyn Nets and is expected to play on Wednesday. The start point guard spoke with the media on Tuesday for the first time since inexplicably leaving the team, but he did not provide much information about his absence.

Irving told reporters he had family and personal issues to tend to. He said he is not going to go into anymore detail than that.

Kyrie meets the media for the first time after his absence, describes it as: "a lot of family and personal stuff going on, so - just want to leave it at that." When asked to follow up, he says "I've addressed everyone who needs to be addressed, just want to move on."
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) January 19, 2021

Irving said he spoke with each of his teammates about his situation and that he needed some time away. He also apologized to Nets and NBA fans and said he is happy to be back.

“I am back, I am happy to be back, we got some great pieces and we move on and I let my actions and my game speak for itself like I planned on doing,” Irving added, per ESPN’s Malika Andrews. “I just needed a pause.”

The Nets traded for James Harden while Irving was out. There have been indications that there may be significant issues between Irving and the team, so that will be worth monitoring going forward.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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