The Brooklyn Nets were one of the teams hit hardest by the spike in positive COVID-19 tests throughout the NBA in December. They had more than 10 players enter the league’s health and safety protocols, which resulted in some postponements of games.
Brooklyn had three games postponed between December 19th-23rd because they did not have enough players eligible to play. They returned to action on Christmas Day, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers behind a monster performance from James Harden, who was making his first appearance since December 10th against the Atlanta Hawks.
They did lose to the Orlando Magic when they had eight players eligible to play before the three postponements. They got some players back since the postponements and have gone 2-0 thus far, also defeating the LA Clippers.
LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Major COVID Protocol Change: Everything To Know
The Nets will be inching closer to full strength in their next game when they take on the Philadelphia 76ers. They will be getting multiple key players back, as Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and LaMarcus Aldridge have all cleared protocol.
Aldridge has not played since December 12th against the Detroit Pistons while Kevin Durant has been sidelined for 10 days. He played in the team’s game against the 76ers on December 16th before the biggest wave of positive tests hit the team.
It will be interesting to see how much they play in their first game back as they won’t have much time to get their conditioning back up to speed. Given how shorthanded the Nets have been, they will likely get some playing time even if it isn’t their regular allotment.
LATEST NBA NEWS: NBA Major COVID Protocol Change: Everything To Know
Irving, however, will have to wait a little longer to return to the court. Because he is unvaccinated, he still isn’t eligible to play in games at Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden or Toronto.
The Brooklyn Nets are starting a three-game homestand, so the earliest we could see Kyrie Irving back on the court is January 5th when they visit the Indiana Pacers.
