Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) slaps hands with his teammates, including DeAndre Jordan (6), during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
NEW YORK — Kyrie Irving won’t play in the Brooklyn Nets’ first game after the All-Star break because of more trouble with his right shoulder that sidelined him earlier this season.
Nets coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters Tuesday that Irving would see a specialist this week and that he would have more information on the guard’s availability afterward.
Irving missed 26 games during his first season in Brooklyn with an impingement. He got a cortisone shot in December instead of having arthroscopic surgery, though acknowledged that surgery might still be necessary.
Irving has been sidelined recently with a sprained right knee. He has played in just 20 of the Nets’ 53 games. Brooklyn returns from the All-Star break Thursday at Philadelphia.