Scary Hours will be 1/3 as long as optimal on Tuesday, as both Kyrie Irving and James Harden will be out for the pivotal Game 5 of the Nets and Bucks’ Eastern Conference semifinal series at Barclays Center.
Irving was ruled out early on Monday, due to the sprained right ankle he suffered in the second quarter of Game 4 Sunday afternoon. An MRI Monday confirmed the sprain, and head coach Steve Nash isn’t sure if his point guard will be able to return at all in this series, which has Game 6 scheduled for Thursday in Milwaukee and Game 7 if necessary on Saturday in Brooklyn.
“I have to wait and see how it progresses, I think," Nash said. "And then the experts would have to wait and see how it progresses and give you a clearer picture on what the window would be for his return."
Irving was hurt after landing on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s foot coming down from making a layup, and Nash said the situation – Giannis coming in to crash defensively as Irving made the shot over Jrue Holiday – an “awkward” one.
“I know he ended up getting under Kyrie while he was in the air," Nash said. "I think it would be a big stretch for me to sit here and say he meant to do that in any way. I don't believe that's the type of person he is, nor is [it] what I believe happened. It was awkward and unfortunate."
As for Harden, who played just 43 seconds in Game 1 before leaving with a hamstring issue, he was working out on Monday afternoon as Nash spoke to the media, but even after the head coach said The Beard was “progressing towards a return,” Harden was ruled out shortly thereafter.
Nash said after Sunday’s loss that Irving’s situation wouldn’t cause the team to rush Harden, who still needs to complete a few workout steps before being cleared. So, with the Big 3 having played barely a dozen games together this year, it will be just Kevin Durant in Game 5 – but he’s up to the task, as KD shot 63 percent and averaged almost 34 points per game in the five games he played without Kyrie and Harden this year, and the Nets went 4-1 in those five contests.
"I've just got to be prepared to do everything out there just like any night," Durant said. We definitely weren’t planning on not having our guys at this time, but we're all pros and we have to adapt to any situation. In the fifth game of a series, it's just like, 'All right, let's go play.' So, I think we all have that mentality and go forward and hoop."
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