Sources – Kyrie Irving is not expected to join the Brooklyn Nets this week; NBA should review mask-less videos

As the NBA examines videos circulating on social media of a maskless Kyrie Irving at what appears to be a family birthday party, there is no belief that the Brooklyn Nets goalie will return to the roster. from the team this week, sources told ESPN.

Irving was already ruled out of his fourth straight game Tuesday night against Denver, and sources say that at a minimum, he is expected to miss Wednesday’s game against New York and Saturday against Orlando. His absence was attributed to personal reasons.

In the videos – which began to be shared widely on Monday night – a smiling Irving dances with his sister Asia on a confetti-covered floor and claps as she blows out candles. If the video turns out to be recent, this behavior could constitute a violation of the league’s coronavirus protocols.

The league’s COVID-19 guidelines ban players from going to clubs, bars and lounges. They also prohibit attending social gatherings of more than 15 people.

This investigation comes during a hectic week, as the league reassesses its health and safety rules against coronaviruses. The league postponed three games this week as positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing quarantines took hold.

The NBA board of governors is holding a special meeting on Tuesday, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The team’s general managers had a call on Monday that dealt with tighter protocols.

The NBA has investigated other health and safety violations this season. In December, BlackSportsOnline posted a video of James Harden partying, without a mask, allegedly at a club Christmas party in Houston. After an investigation, the league fined the Houston Rockets star $ 50,000 and he had to quarantine her for four days while returning negative daily COVID-19 tests.

Harden has never missed a game.

If a player misses a game for a COVID-19 violation, they will lose 1/72 of their salary, according to league rules.