The bad news keeps getting worse for the Brooklyn Nets.
Shortly after star guard Kyrie Irving was ruled out for Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5 versus the Milwaukee Bucks because of a sprained right ankle, ESPN’s Malika Andrews confirmed fellow guard James Harden also won’t play Tuesday due to the strained hamstring that’s bothered him for over a week.
Milwaukee tied the series via Sunday’s 107-96 victory and may not see either Irving or Harden again until next season. Irving sprained his ankle in the second quarter of Sunday’s contest when he landed on the foot of Bucks big man Giannis Antetokounmpo and did not return to the rotation for the game’s second half. Harden, meanwhile, has dealt with multiple hamstring setbacks throughout the campaign and hasn’t taken the court since June 5.
“I have to wait and see how it progresses, I think,” Brooklyn coach Steve Nash told reporters about Irving’s injury. “And then the experts would have to wait and see how it progresses and give you a clearer picture on what the window would be for his return.”
Game 6 between the Nets and Bucks is Thursday night in Milwaukee.
