The Brooklyn Nets are expected to reinstate Kyrie Irving from suspension this Sunday when they play the Memphis Grizzlies.
Back on Nov. 1, Kyrie Irving was suspended for a minimum of five games without pay by the Brooklyn Nets for promoting an antisemitic film on his Twitter account. After sharing the video and facing backlash, Irving did not formally apologize when given multiple opportunities to do so. Irving had to fulfill multiple tasks in order to receive reinstatement.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required), the Nets are expected to have Irving return for the team’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Just In: Suspended Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is expected to be cleared to play on Sunday vs. Memphis at Barclays Center, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 17, 2022
Nets reportedly expected to reinstate Kyrie Irving on Nov. 20
Twitter users reacted to the news of Irving expected to be reinstated from suspension as soon as this Sunday.
Kyrie rn pic.twitter.com/KBG0GzClB6
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) November 17, 2022
Kyrie Irving right now pic.twitter.com/y0NiZlYnHY
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) November 17, 2022
I just hate that I see the news that Kyrie is coming back and I roll my eyes and think, “wonder how long it is til he does something else despicable or calls a reporter a pawn or worse.”
— Sarah Todd (@NBASarah) November 17, 2022
I wish I didn’t think that. I wish I had more hope than that. But I don’t.
Obnoxious fans: "The Nets went too far with their list!"
— eLone (@eLonePB) November 17, 2022
Meanwhile Kyrie: pic.twitter.com/7thqbIrB0z
This is the third year in a row we got that "Kyrie Irving is returning" tweet from Shams. https://t.co/DARf6nWEtZ
— Joe Randazzo (@Yankeelibrarian) November 17, 2022
Kyrie woke up feeling DANGEROUS:
— Sam Presti Owns Your Picks (@ShiddyBeatYou) November 17, 2022
- Sensitivity training completed 😤
- hateful tweets deleted 😎
- Reinstatement on Sunday 🥵
- Successful meeting with Joe Tsai and his wife 😈
Irving had multiple opportunities to apologize in front of the media, but didn’t do so. One such opportunity saw him get into a tense verbal exchange with ESPN’s Nick Friedell.
At the time of the suspension, Irving was asked by the team to complete six tasks to receive reinstatement from suspension. Those items included apologizing for promoting the film, complete sensitivity and antisemitism training, meet with the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish leaders, donate $500,000 to anti-hate causes, and meeting with Nets owner Joe Tsai.
Sources: Nets have delivered Kyrie Irving six items he must complete to return to team:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 6, 2022
- Apologize/condemn movie
- $500K donation to anti-hate causes
- Sensitivity training
- Antisemitic training
- Meet with ADL, Jewish leaders
- Meet with Joe Tsai to demonstrate understanding
When the suspension was announced, Irving issued an apology on his Instagram account.
Sources told Charania that both the Nets and the league were “happy with what Irving has done throughout the process,” citing how many community leaders he met with during his suspension. the one anonymous source said that Irving went “above and beyond” what he was asked to do.
Irving had a “productive and understanding” visit with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, per a tweet from Charania on Nov. 8.
Tsai tweeted out on Nov. 11 that it was clear to him that Irving “does not have any beliefs of hate towards Jewish people or any group.”
Prior to his suspension after not directly apologizing for the tweet in question, Nike suspended their partnership with Irving.
Irving has missed seven games at the time the report dropped, and will miss Brooklyn’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night.
The Nets will play the Grizzlies at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday.