The news Brooklyn Nets fans feared but expected has been confirmed.
Per Malika Andrews of ESPN, Nets head coach Steve Nash announced Friday afternoon that All-Star guard Kyrie Irving won’t play in Saturday’s Game 7 of the second-round playoff series against the Milwaukee Bucks because of the sprained right ankle he first suffered last Sunday against Milwaukee. Irving hasn’t played since, but the Nets managed to defeat the Bucks in Game 5 Tuesday evening to take a 3-2 series lead thanks largely to a heroic effort from Kevin Durant.
Milwaukee forced Game 7 via Thursday’s 104-89 home victory over Brooklyn. The series decider will take place at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Nash explained that Irving should be good for the Eastern Conference Finals if the Nets win Saturday night: