The Nets, having lost all three games of their three-game homestand, may find themselves surprisingly relieved to be hitting the road.
Not only will their upcoming road matchup with the Pacers represent a change of scenery from their three-game losing skid, but it very well could mean the return of Kyrie Irving.
Nothing is official as of Tuesday morning, but head coach Steve Nash said Monday that the team is "hopeful" that the point guard will be able to take the floor in Indiana on Wednesday night.
If Irving does make his season debut Wednesday, it would be a massive boost for the Nets, who will have their superstar back in the fold in a part time role.
"New energy, but more than anything, he's an efficient player that can put pressure on the defense," Kevin Durant said. "We're just looking forward to what he brings as a player as far as energy."
Irving hasn't played yet this season due to his vaccination status, which currently leaves him ineligible to play games in New York City and Toronto. Initially, the Nets were holding firm that Irving would not rejoin the team unless it was in a full-time role, meaning he would have to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or the mandates in New York would have to change. But once Brooklyn's roster was decimated by COVID-19 cases, the team's stance changed.
The change in mindset means the Nets will have their superstar trio together on the road, potentially beginning on Wednesday.
"Obviously we'd love to have Kyrie back," James Harden said. "He's a special talent, but there's things that we need to correct internally and individually that can help us, and then adding Kyrie back is gonna be more special.
"It definitely gives us a spark."
Irving hasn't played since he was injured in last year's playoffs, coming up on eight months ago. So, even as one of the best point guards in the league, it will still be a transition for Irving to get back in the swing of things.
But in the eyes of the Nets, a rusty Irving is still an upgrade.
"This is our livelihoods, this is something we dream about every day," Durant said. "So to go through this situation and get an opportunity to play right now, I know there's a lot of emotions going through his head, and as teammates we have to be there to support him from the beginning of it."
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