Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will be out for the rest of the season. Nets general manager Sean Marks announced on Thursday that Irving will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
Nets make official that Kyrie Irving will undergo season-ending surgery on shoulder. https://t.co/dfjCsEERAR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2020
Irving had missed 26 games earlier this season due to a right shoulder impingement. The pain started on Nov. 4 during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. In December, Irving had received a cortisone shot in hopes that he could avoid the immediate need for surgery.
“It’s very unique. It’s the first time I’ve ever had such a significant feeling in my shoulder where I’m going up to shoot jump shots and I can’t really lift my shoulder,” Irving said about the pain he was encountering.
Last summer, Irving signed a four-year, $141 million contract with the Nets. He has played in just 20 games this season, averaging 27.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals. He was shooting 47.8 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from three-point range, and a league-leading 92.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Losing Irving for the rest of the season might not be as bad you think. The Nets have a better record with Irving out (17-16) than they do when he plays (8-12). The Nets are currently 25-28 and hold the No. 7 position in the Eastern Conference.
