NBA Investigating Maskless Kyrie Video as He Remains MIA With Nets

As Kyrie Irving is set to miss his fourth straight game on Tuesday when the Nets take on the Denver Nuggets, the NBA is reportedly investigating a video that circulated on social media showing Irving without a face mask at a party.

Although the party was supposed to be the birthday of his sister Asia last January 11th, the video showed that it was a large gathering at what looked to be a club. If the time and location of the event can be proven to be current, Irving could face potential discipline from the league as the NBA currently prohibits its players from attending large gatherings and entering clubs. And yes, a maskless Irving at a large party in a club would make the matter worse.

Maskless Kyrie

In the video, which circulated on social media beginning Monday, a maskless Irving is spotted smiling while dancing with his sister Asia on a confetti-covered floor and clapping as she blows out candles. There is no confirmation yet on whether the video is current but that’s what the NBA is investigating.

Videos have surfaced of Kyrie Irving at a large birthday gathering alongside his sister, Asia.

Kyrie’s sister & dad have birthdays this week.

Given the size of the gathering & now public nature of it, Kyrie might now have to undergo a quarantine period before returning. https://t.co/McrYtFH9XK pic.twitter.com/U4T1KAvMTl

— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) January 12, 2021

This isn’t the first time that the NBA has investigated a “maskless video” this season. Earlier this campaign, the league investigated Houston Rockets guard James Harden for appearing maskless at a Houston club’s Christmas party. Harden ended up getting fined $50,000 for violating league protocols and was quarantined for four days while returning negative COVID-19 tests.

The Kyrie investigation comes at a turbulent week for the NBA which is re-evaluating its COVID-19 protocols. The league has seen three games postponed as positive tests and contact tracing quarantines mounted. Brooklyn too has had an equally stormy week with Irving missing three games and the team dropping its last two contests.

Off the Grid

The other day, it was reported that Irving was “off the grid” and that it’s unclear when he will return to play for the Nets. Irving first missed Brooklyn’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers which the Nets won 122-109 but since then, the Nets have lost back-to-back games to the Grizzlies and Thunder.

Kyrie Irving Is Reportedly “Off The Grid”https://t.co/vs14cOPjhv pic.twitter.com/BpKepyT7pR

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 12, 2021

Caris Levert said that Irving texted his teammates before the Sixers game and they all support him in his decision not to play. Brooklyn head coach Steve Nash admitted that he had not spoken to his point guard and that he texted Irving but got no reply. Although he did not know his whereabouts or the reason for his absence, Nash called it a “personal matter”.

Now that it has been revealed that Irving’s father’s birthday is January 12th while his sister’s natal day is January 11th, Kyrie’s absence could indeed be attributed to “personal matters” Or is it really? Kron4 news’ Jason Dumas reported about Irving disappointed in the team’s 123-122 loss to the league-worst Washington Wizards last Wednesday in a game where he and Kevin Durant each missed game-winners.

Nets Below .500 Mark

The Nets are currently below the .500 mark at 5-6 which is tied with the Knicks for third place in the Atlantic Division team standings. If you look at the way too early conference ladder, Brooklyn is outside the Top 8 which isn’t where bookmakers said they would be.

Final: Nets fall to the Thunder 129-116 and fall to 5-6. Kevin Durant led six Nets in double figures with 36 points. Brooklyn led by as many as 15 in the first half and then the wheels came off. Couldn’t get a stop or hit a 3. The Nuggets come to town on Tuesday.

— Alex Schiffer (@Alex__Schiffer) January 11, 2021

According to SportsBetting.ag, the Nets are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks for the best odds to win the Eastern Conference at +275. The Philadelphia 76ers are third at +500 while the current Eastern Conference leaders Boston Celtics are fourth at +600. Meanwhile, last year’s Eastern Conference champions Miami Heat close out the Top 5 at +750.

Brooklyn also has the fifth-best odds to win the 2021 NBA title. The Nets are currently listed at +700 with only the Lakers (+225), Bucks (+650), and Clippers (+650) ahead of them in the title picture. The Nets though have lost four out of their last six games heading to Tuesday’s games and they’re going to need Kyrie Irving if they are to turn things around before it’s too late.