Nets say Kyrie Irving available to play after serving 8-game ban

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The suspension of Irving is over.

The guard has been cleared to play in the game. He will play his first game since he was suspended.

Irving told reporters that he wanted to apologize to those who have been affected.

Irving doesn't want anything that is anti going against the human race. When things are assumed about us, we should be able to speak for ourselves. I felt it was necessary for me to be held accountable for my actions because there was a way I should have handled this.

Is that correct? I didn't mean any harm to anyone. This is a big moment for me because I have learned that my voice is very strong. My community's influence is very strong. I want to make sure that doesn't happen. We have to admit that we hurt people when we were wrong and that affects them.

Irving acknowledged that he could have done a better job handling the initial response.

Irving said that he should have dealt with it on the first day. I should have made it clear that I am not antisemitic when it comes to my life. The lesson for me was the power of my platform and how important it is to take care of it the right way. Meeting with different people within the Jewish community has given me a deeper understanding of what's happening and the impact that was made.

I'm here to apologize. I felt it was necessary in my heart to extend the olive branch, the invitation to let everyone know, not just in the Jewish community, but all races in our world, that I'm here to listen and I'm here to stand with you. I'm not the only one in this fight.

Irving was praised by the Nets for his response to the backlash.

Kyrie had conversations with people in the Jewish community. He is going about the process in a meaningful way.

Nets general manager Sean Marks and the players' association executive director were in attendance at the news conference.

After more reflection, Irving decided to apologize later that night on the social media site.

Irving said that he meant to post the documentary to stand side by side with all the views of the documentary. It's not possible to call someone an antisemite when you don't know them. We don't have a track record of family calls. I have no records of that. For me to react like that was normal. I had to give myself some time to think.