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Mike Chiari is the featured Columnist for January 5, 2022.
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Rich Schultz is a photographer.
Nets head coach Steve Nash expects star guard Kyrie Irving to have a lot of work.
Nash told reporters that Irving will see a lot of action, even though he may not reach his minutes total against the Pacers.
I don't think he can play 38 minutes. He can play a lot of the game. He's played a lot, so I think he's capable of playing extended minutes, but not his usual high 30s.
Irving has not played this season because of New York City rules that prevent unvaccinated individuals from entering certain indoor facilities.
The Nets decided to allow Irving to play in road games last month after they decided to sit him until he got his vaccine.
Irving won't be able to play road games against the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors because of restrictions.
The Nets have been hit hard by COVID-19. Their roster has spent time in health and safety protocols recently.
James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Irving were also in health and safety protocols after he returned to the team.
The Nets are largely healthy and should make a run at the top of the conference, as all of the players are active now.
The Nets will have the entire Big Three for the first time this season on Wednesday when they face the Bulls.
Irving has missed a lot of regular-season and playoff games since he joined the Nets, but he has been productive on the floor.
In 74 regular-season games for Brooklyn, Kyrie has averaged 27.0 points, 6.1 assists, 4.9 rebound, 2.8 three-pointers made and 1.4 steals per contest.
He shot 50.6 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from beyond the arc and 92.2 percent from the free-throw line last season, making him the ninth different player in NBA history to join the 50-40-90 club.
Irving was named an All-Star for the seventh time in his career last season, cementing his status as one of the NBA's elite players.
The Nets will have to manage a unique situation with Irving only available for road games, but having a player of his caliber for any number of games is a positive for a team with championship ambitions.
