Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving Reportedly Nearing Return From Suspension

For Brooklyn Nets fans, there hasn't been a lot to cheer for this season.

Following a tumultuous offseason that was highlighted by a trade request from franchise star Kevin Durant, the Nets got off to a slow start—which wasn't at all surprising.

The Nets began the season at 1-5, and things only got worse from there.

Seven games into the season, the team decided to fire head coach Steve Nash. Then soon after, they suspended All-Star guard Kyrie Irving for "at least five games," stemming from the backlash he received after promoting an antisemitic documentary on his Instagram account.

Irving has missed the Nets' last seven games and will miss his eighth when the team travels to Portland to face the Trailblazers on Thursday, November 17.

Fortunately for fans of the team in black and white, there's a bit of good news to look forward to.

As reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Irving could be suiting back up for the Nets very soon, as soon as Sunday, November 20 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Nets initially gave Irving a sort of "checklist" of requirements to accomplish before he could be reinstated by the team.

The checklist included apologizing and condemning the antisemitic film that he promoted, making a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes, completing sensitivity training, completing antisemitism training, meeting with ADL and Jewish leaders, and meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding of the situation.

It looks like things have been progressing well for Irving, who has been working closely with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the Nets franchise, and the league itself to "author his own remedies to end the suspension."

"Kyrie is continuing his journey of dialogue and education," NBPA executive director Tamika Tremaglio told ESPN. "He has been grappling with the full weight of the impact of his voice and actions, particularly in the Jewish community. Kyrie rejects antisemitism in any form, and he's dedicated to bettering himself and increasing his level of understanding. He plans to continue this journey well into the future to ensure that his words and actions align with his pursuit of truth and knowledge."

Getting Irving back on the floor would be a big help for the Nets, who are currently at 6-9 and sitting at 12th place in the Eastern Conference.

In eight games played so far this season, Irving is averaging 26.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Back in October, he dropped a season-high 39 points against the Dallas Mavericks.

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