Nets' Kyrie Irving out vs. 76ers for personal reasons

The Brooklyn Nets already knew that they would be without two-time NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Kevin Durant for Thursday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers due to the league's COVID-19 protocols. 

Brooklyn took the court without its other star in the lineup or available off the bench. 

As reported by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), guard Kyrie Irving was made unavailable on Thursday evening due to unspecified personal reasons. While Durant leads the Nets with 28.2 points per game, Irving is second in scoring (27.1 PPG) and first in assists (6.1), steals (1.6), and player efficiency rating (27.57). 

The Nets began Thursday holding a record of 4-4 after losing two of its last three contests. 

Head coach Steve Nash told reporters that he hadn't spoken to Irving and didn't know the reason for the guard's absence. As The Athletic's Shams Charania noted, Irving withdrew from a game versus the New York Knicks following the tragic death of legend Kobe Bryant last January. Irving and Bryant shared a close friendship. 

Nash added that he hopes to have Durant back for Sunday's matchup versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.