Kyrie Irving has been suspended indefinitely by the Brooklyn Nets, but for a minimum of five games, in light of the All-Star's unapologetic response to the widespread backlash for allegedly endorsing an antisemitic film.
Irving spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since a controversial press conference on Saturday after last week sharing a social media post about a book and film leading to condemnation, including from the franchise owner Joe Tsai who said it was "full of antisemitic disinformation".
The 2016 NBA champion on Thursday stopped short of apologising for the social media post, instead speaking with ambiguity when directly asked if he had any antisemitic beliefs.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he was disappointed Irving had "not offered an unqualified apology" for his "reckless" social media post.
Irving and the Nets had on Wednesday each donated $500,000 towards causes and organisations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.
But after Thursday's press conference, the Nets moved to suspend Irving for a minimum of five games and without pay, having been left "dismayed" by his latest comments.
"Over the last several days, we have made repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate," the Nets said in the statement.
"We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity - but failed - to clarify.
"Such failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team.
"Accordingly, we are of the view that he is currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."
Irving had said he had take responsibility for sharing the social media post, that has since been deleted, but ultimately stood his ground again.
"I didn't mean to cause any harm," Irving said. "I'm not the one that made the documentary.
"Again, I'm going to repeat. I don't know how the label becomes justified because you guys ask me the same questions over and over again but this is not going to turn into a spin-around cycle - questions upon questions.
"I told you guys how I felt. I respect all walks of life and embrace all walks of life. That's where I sit... I cannot be antisemitic if I know where I come from."
James Harden faces a month on the sidelines after the Philadelphia 76ers star suffered a tendon strain in his right foot, according to reports.
The 33-year-old point guard played for 35 minutes in the 121-111 defeat to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, scoring 24 points and adding 10 assists and five rebounds.
However, according to ESPN, he will miss a long stretch now, with the injury detected during the Wizards game and confirmed in tests on Thursday.
Harden joined Philadelphia in February from the Brooklyn Nets in a multi-player trade and this season he has averaged 22 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds through nine games.
The Sixers are 4-5 for the campaign so far.
Harden is a 10-time All-Star and was named MVP in the 2017-18 NBA season.
With Harden on board for the closing games of the 2021-22 campaign, the Sixers reached the Eastern Conference semi-finals in the playoffs, where they were beaten 4-2 in the best-of-seven series by the Miami Heat.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he is disappointed that Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving "has not offered an unqualified apology" for his "reckless" social media post.
Irving sparked outrage by tweeting a link to a film that contains antisemitic material last Thursday.
Both Irving and the Nets on Wednesday said they would each make donations of $500,000 after the seven-time All-Star posted a link to controversial film 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America'.
That money will go towards causes and organisations "that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities."
Silver said in a statement on Thursday: "While we appreciate the fact that he [Irving] agreed to work with the Brooklyn Nets and the Anti-Defamation League to combat antisemitism and other forms of discrimination, I am disappointed that he has not offered an unqualified apology and more specifically denounced the vile and harmful content contained in the film he chose to publicise."
NBA boss Silver added that he will be meeting with Irving in person next week to discuss the situation.
Irving said last weekend he would not "stand down" and pointed to the "historical complexities" of African heritage in America, but he subsequently deleted the social media post that sparked the uproar.
In Wednesday’s joint-statement from Irving, the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League, Irving said: "I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalised and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility.
"I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light."
Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each make donations of $500,000 in the wake of a social media post from the seven-time NBA All-Star that sparked outrage.
Irving tweeted a link to controversial film 'Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America' last Thursday.
Nets owner Joe Tsai condemned the star guard for promoting a film he alleged to be "full of anti-Semitic disinformation".
Irving said last weekend he would not "stand down" and pointed to the "historical complexities" of African heritage in America, but he subsequently deleted the social media post that sparked the uproar.
A number of fans wore 'Fight Antisemitism' T-shirts, with the 30-year-old facing a furious backlash.
Irving and the Nets have decided to donate $1million between them towards causes and organisations "that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities."
A joint-statement from Irving, the Nets and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said: "The events of the past week have sparked many emotions within the Nets organisation, our Brooklyn community, and the nation.
"The public discourse that followed has brought greater awareness to the challenges we face as a society when it comes to combating hate and hate speech. We are ready to take on this challenge and we recognise that this is a unique moment to make a lasting impact.
"To promote education within our community, Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets will each donate $500,000 towards causes and organisations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance in our communities.
"The Nets and Kyrie Irving will work with ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), a non-profit organisation devoted to fighting antisemitism and all types of hate that undermine justice and fair treatment for every individual. This is an effort to develop educational programming that is inclusive and will comprehensively combat all forms of antisemitism and bigotry."
Irving said: "I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalised and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility.
"I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles. I am a human being learning from all walks of life and I intend to do so with an open mind and a willingness to listen. So from my family and I, we meant no harm to any one group, race or religion of people, and wish to only be a beacon of truth and light.”
ADL chief executive Jonathan Greenblatt said: "At a time when antisemitism has reached historic levels, we know the best way to fight the oldest hatred is to both confront it head-on and also to change hearts and minds. With this partnership, ADL will work with the Nets and Kyrie to open dialogue and increase understanding.
"At the same time, we will maintain our vigilance and call out the use of anti-Jewish stereotypes and tropes – whatever, whoever, or wherever the source – as we work toward a world without hate."
Jason Kidd says it is "special" to be mentioning Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic in the same conversations as greats Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan after a seventh straight 30-point game to start the season.
Only on three occasions has a player achieved such a feat, with Chamberlain accounting for two of those – the last of which was in 1962-63. The only other player to have accomplished it was Jack Twyman.
The legendary Michael Jordan was the last player to do six games with 30 points at the start of the season back in the 1986-87 campaign.
Doncic put up 33 points and 11 assists as the Mavs defeated the Utah Jazz 103-100 to move to 4-3 for the season and head coach Kidd waxed lyrical about his go-to man.
"I think it's special when you talk about M.J. and Wilt," Kidd said.
"It's rare air. We get to see that on a nightly basis, so that's pretty cool. A 23-year-old kid that's at this level.
"It just shows the focus that he has. He's carrying the team and putting the team in position to win."
For his part, Doncic is focused on helping the team succeed rather than celebrating his brilliant streak.
"I don't know. I'm trying to win games," Doncic said.
"The player that scores more, you're going to win the game. I think today was one of the best games that I've played. Not forcing a lot. Sharing the ball.
"I always hear Wilt Chamberlain, so he's always there. It's great. I just wished to play in the NBA. This is really a dream for me. Couldn't be happier just to play basketball, to do my job, and that's it."
Dejounte Murray showed exactly why the Atlanta Hawks pulled the trigger on their big offseason trade, carrying his new team to a 112-99 road win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Murray, 26, was a first-time All-Star this past season with the San Antonio Spurs, before the Hawks traded for him in a deal centred around three first-round draft picks.
There were eyebrows raised at the time about if Murray could fit and produce next to another All-Star point guard in Trae Young, but he continued to exceed expectations in a starring performance against the Knicks.
He finished with a game-high and career-high 36 points on 14-of-27 shooting, hitting five of his 12 three-point attempts while adding nine assists, six steals and four rebounds.
His performance came at a good time for the Hawks, with Young struggling on his way to 17 points on seven-of-22 shooting after briefly leaving the game due to a nasty scratch to his eye
It is the first time this season Murray has surpassed 26 points in a game – also setting season-highs for field goal makes and attempts, three-point makes and attempts, and steals.
Also finding his footing with a new team, the Knicks' Jalen Brunson was comfortably his side's best performer, finishing with an efficient 20 points (eight-of-15 shooting) and five assists.
Since arriving with the Knicks, Brunson is averaging career-highs in points (18.2), assists (7.2), rebounds (4.2) and steals (1.3).
Bucks remain the NBA's last undefeated team
It was smooth sailing for the Milwaukee Bucks in their 116-91 home win against the Detroit Pistons, moving to 7-0 for the season as the only team without a loss.
Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is making a strong case as the favourite to win his third, continuing his blistering start to the season with 32 points (11-of-24 shooting, 10-of-12 free throws), 12 rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocks.
He was supported in style by Jrue Holiday, who hit 11 of his 16 shots on his way to 26 points and seven rebounds.
Doncic mounts his own MVP case
Antetokounmpo's biggest challenger for this year's MVP trophy appears to be Luka Doncic, who carried his Dallas Mavericks to a 103-100 win over the Utah Jazz.
In the win, which lifted the Mavericks to 4-3, Doncic shot 60 per cent from the field for his 33 points (12-of-20), leading the game in points and assists (11). Doncic has now scored at least 30 points in each of his team's first seven games, becoming the first player to do so since Wilt Chamberlain in 1962-63.
Still yet to break into the starting lineup after being acquired from the Houston Rockets, Christian Wood put in a strong showing off the bench, scoring 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting with 10 rebounds.
Garland returns in Cavaliers' overtime win
All-Star point guard Darius Garland returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers' lineup and played a big part in their 114-113 overtime win at home against the Boston Celtics.
Having not played since suffering an eye injury in the Cavs' season-opener, Garland did not miss a beat, dishing a game-high 12 assists to go with his 29 points (nine-of-20 shooting) in 42 minutes.
Running-mate Donovan Mitchell showed there were plenty of shots to go around, chipping in 25 points (11-of-27) with six assists in the first real look at the Cavaliers' two-pronged attack using their All-Star backcourt.
Kevin Durant reportedly pushed for Steve Nash's removal as Brooklyn Nets head coach in the off-season but says he was "shocked" when he found out about his firing on Tuesday.
The Nets confirmed on Tuesday they had mutually agreed to part ways after a 2-5 start to the season, made worse by the 108-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls later that day.
It was widely reported Durant had issued Nets owner Joe Tsai with an ultimatum in an unsettled off-season at the Barclays Center, either trade him or fire Nash and general manager Sean Marks.
Yet Durant, who said he learned the news of Nash's firing on ESPN after waking up from a nap on Tuesday, insisted he was taken aback when he found out and shrugged off questions about whether he was consulted.
"You're always shocked when a move like this happens, but it's normal in the NBA," Durant told reporters after Tuesday's loss.
"You've got practice, games coming up, so you can't think too much about it. It was on my mind for a little bit today."
Nash had taken over at the Nets in September 2020, taking the side to the Conference Semifinals in 2020-21 with their 'big three' of Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden.
But the Nets struggled in 2021-22 and swept out of the playoffs in the first round by the Boston Celtics, amid a difficult season that saw Irving largely ineligible due to his vaccination status and Harden traded.
"Let's be real, we're pros, we're veterans," Durant added. "We had a tough start. It was a rocky year last year, rocky summer. We knew that everybody was being evaluated.
"That's just how it is in the league. So I liked working with Steve. I like working with the coaching staff. It was a roller coaster the last few years, but the core of it - basketball - is something we all love to do. Regardless of who the coach [is], regardless of the circumstances, you still got to come to work. I enjoyed coming to work with Steve."
Nash's firing comes in the midst of the franchise's latest off-court issue surrounding Irving facing widespread backlash for sharing a film on social media with alleged anti-Semitic connotations.
Durant insisted that there was not too much volatility around the Nets.
"That's the NBA," Durant said. "Everybody's got volatility if you want to look at it.
"It's just a matter of - outside people might look at what we do as bigger than what it is, but we come to work every single day.
"Guys have asked for trades before, coaches get fired, we have disagreements in our locker room, it happens in the NBA. But at the end of the day we all came to work. It just didn't work out on the floor."
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