NBA Rumors: Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Other Stars Skipping 2021 Olympics

The U.S. Men’s Basketball Team will be a heavy favorite to win the gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, though several big names will be noticeably absent. Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell are the latest All-Stars who have reportedly chosen to skip the Summer Games.

Curry has chosen not to play for Team USA, according to The Athletic, while Irving is expected to miss the Olympics as he recovers from a sprained ankle. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Monday that Mitchell declined the chance to play for Team USA as he deals with an ankle injury of his own.

Unlike All-Stars who recently turned down an invite to join Team USA, Curry didn’t play in the postseason and hasn’t been dealing with a significant injury, at least not one that has been reported. Curry last played an NBA game on May 21 when the Golden State Warriors were eliminated from the league’s new play-in tournament. Curry finished third in the 2021 MVP voting, once again proving that he’s among the very best basketball players in the world.

Curry also skipped the 2016 Olympics. The Warriors’ star played in his second straight NBA Finals that year and was still recovering from knee and ankle injuries that forced him to miss playoff games.

Irving missed the Brooklyn Nets’ last three playoff games with a sprained ankle. James Harden, who missed the first four games of the second round and gutted through the series’ final three games with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, will reportedly play for Team USA. Kevin Durant will also join his Nets’ teammate in Tokyo.

Mitchell missed the Utah Jazz's very first playoff game. The guard returned for the rest of the first round and all six of Utah’s second-round games, though he was clearly not 100% healthy.

Mitchell still managed to average 26.4 points per game in the postseason, including a 45-point performance. Mitchell scored 39 points in Game 6 as the Jazz were eliminated by the Los Angeles Clippers.

When the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated in the first round, it was reported that both LeBron James and Anthony Davis would skip the Olympics. James missed almost the final two months of the regular season with an ankle injury, while a groin injury kept Davis off the court for all but a few minutes of the Lakers’ final two playoff games.

The Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony is scheduled for July 23.