Brooklyn Nets Rumors: Harden To Return Soon; 'Masked Kyrie' Looms

KEY POINTS

Kyrie Irving suffered a facial contusion against the Chicago Bulls
James Harden, meanwhile, is reportedly a game-time decision on Wednesday against San Antonio
Fans are already expecting "Masked Kyrie" to make his return

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will undergo another scan for his face injury even as fellow star James Harden is expected to be a game-time decision for Wednesday.

Irving exited the third quarter of the Net's 115-107 win over the Chicago Bulls after an inadvertent elbow from big man Nikola Vucevic in a rebound scramble.

Irving got up slowly and trooped straight to the locker room after the accidental collision.

He did not return to the game, managing to finish with 13 points and five assists under 21 minutes of action.

Steve Nash said that Kyrie Irving does not have a concussion. He said that he had an X-Ray that was "inconclusive" -- meaning "they need a further scan, I don't know if it's the swelling or what."

Irving will have another scan in the morning, Nash said.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) May 12, 2021

ESPN's Malika Andrews reported that Irving suffered a "facial contusion."

Later on, Nets head coach Steve Nash relayed that Irving's X-Ray was "inconclusive," meaning he will have a further scan for the Nets playmaker.

Irving will have another scan in the morning, according to Nash.

The Nets will return at home to play the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

Owing to injuries and personal matters, Irving has appeared in only 52 games for Brooklyn this season.

But when the 2016 champion is on the floor, he delivers exceptionally. Irving has averages of 27.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.2 assists this year, while shooting above 50% overall and 39.4% from long-range.

Meanwhile, Twitter users have already brought up the possibility of seeing "Masked Kyrie" again in the playoffs.

masked kyrie for the playoffs 👀 pic.twitter.com/0oXx3utlHu
— shania😔 (@nbashania) May 12, 2021

Irving has voiced dissatisfaction over wearing masks, albeit not having a choice for safety reasons.

"I hate wearing it, but somehow it’s caused a craze on Instagram as well as social media,” Irving said, per The Undefeated. “I understand that it’s just for my safety, so I throw on the mask for a few weeks and go about my business.”

Coincidentally, Harden may be a "game-time" decision against San Antonio, per ESPN.

Harden has missed five weeks due to a hamstring injury, and if the Eastern Conference contenders are to make a deep post-season run, they will need a healthy superstar backcourt duo.

The Nets have gone only 2-4 in their last six outings, showing the have ways to go before emerging as definitive favorites in the East.

At 45-24, the second-seeded Nets will likely open a first round series against Boston or Charlotte.