Kyrie questionable for return to Nets vs. Bucks

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NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving is listed as questionable for the Brooklyn Nets’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. It is the first time since Jan. 5 that Irving’s status leaves room for him to be available to play.

Irving has missed the Nets’ past six games.

If Irving plays Monday, it will be the first time the Nets have had Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden on the court together. The Nets made a trade that brought Harden to Brooklyn on Wednesday.

For the first five games of his absence, Irving was listed as out for personal reasons.

During that hiatus, a video began circulating online of Irving at what appeared to be a family birthday party. The video showed the Nets guard maskless, dancing with his sister and standing next to her as she blew out birthday candles.

The league’s COVID-19 safety rules say that players are not allowed to go to bars, clubs and lounges or attend gatherings of 15 or more people. Irving was found to have violated those rules. The league fined Irving $50,000 and docked him over $800,000 in salary for the two games he had to miss in quarantine.

Irving was out for the Nets’ game on Sunday against the Orlando Magic as a part of the league’s health and safety protocols. League rules allow for players who have had to quarantine to have a few days to ramp up on-court workouts before rejoining their team in a game.

On Saturday, Nets coach Steve Nash said that he anticipated Irving would work out on Sunday with the team’s “stay ready” group of bench players.

Nets general manager Sean Marks said last week Irving will “have the opportunity to address his absence when he is ready to do so.”

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