“Kyrie Irving just didn’t feel like playing”: Nets coach Steve Nash explains why star point guard sat out tonight’s game against Sixers for personal reasons

Kyrie Irving was listed as out with personal reasons for tonight’s win over the Sixers. But Nets coach Steve Nash wasn’t told why.

When news broke of Nash signing on as the Nets’ head coach this season, one of the first questions everyone thought about was how he’d handle Kyrie. The 6-time All Star is known to act like a headcase on various occasions. In the past, he’s undermined Ty Lue and Brad Stevens.

All seems good in Brooklyn so far, however. Despite only having a 5-4 record that is underwhelming, the team has shown unity, talent and character. They seem destined to make noise in the playoffs given how they’re playing. And frankly, nobody knows how to shut Kevin Durant down.

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With all of this serving as the background, the Nets won tonight’s game against the Sixers comprehensively. This game reduced the league-leading Sixers to a 7-2 record, while Brooklyn moved on to 5-4.

Steve Nash on why Kyrie Irving didn’t play tonight

Irving did not inform coach Steve Nash about why he took tonight off. When Nash tried to contact him, Irving did not pick up his calls. Nash did not shy away from telling the media this ahead of the game, which has landed the 2016 champion in a bit of hot water:

Steve Nash said he does not know why Kyrie Irving won’t play tonight against the Sixers, as in, he is unaware of what KI’s personal issue is. Nash said he reached out to Kyrie and did not hear back

— Joe Vardon (@joevardon) January 7, 2021

Kyrie Irving’s reasoning for not playing in tonight’s game per a close source: “I just didn’t want to play.”

— 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, M.A. (@ScoopB) January 8, 2021

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At any rate, given that Kyrie’s reasons are personal rather than injury-related, one can expect him back before long. He could even play against the Grizzlies tonight on their second leg of a back-to-back set. Kevin Durant won’t be back, however, till at least Sunday’s game against OKC Thunder.