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Brooklyn Nets: Kyrie Irving leaves game after taking brutal elbow to the face

ByThomas Carannante|
May 11, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) fouls Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) fouls Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

The Brooklyn Nets are simply too close to the playoffs at this point to endure any more injuries. James Harden’s setback was enough.

That deprived the Nets of deploying their Big 3 for the first time in a long time. But now? They might not even have a Big 2.

During Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls, Kyrie Irving went to the locker room in the third quarter after taking a vicious (yet unintentional) elbow to the face from Nikola Vucevic.

The star point guard was down on the hardwood for a bit before leaving with the Nets’ medical staff. It didn’t look good at all.

Kyrie Irving left the Nets-Bulls game with a head injury.

Yup, that’s a 6-foot-11, 260-pound center coming right down on Irving’s face, which is a cause for concern for obvious reasons, but none more paramount than the fact Irving suffered a concussion last preseason.

It also isn’t out the realm of possibility this might’ve resulted in a facial fracture. Why immediately jump to the worst-case scenario? Because Irving has suffered three facial fractures over the last nine years.

Irving’s been enjoying a masterful season, too. One that might be regarded as one of his best ever. And he’s done a lot of the work while this Nets team constantly battles chemistry, whether it’s newcomers via free agency or trade, or the fact the team is continuously dealing with injuries.

He’s averaged 27.4 points, 6.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game while shooting 92% from the free throw line across 51 contests. He’s been a constant for Brooklyn during Harden’s absence (which has now exceeded a month) and while Durant’s been in and out of action all year.

At this point, the Nets really can’t afford to lose the glue that’s held this team together for much of this (what feels like could be) a special season. Stay tuned for updates on his status.