Kyrie Irving returns to Brooklyn Nets action after suspension for ‘anti-Semitic’ tweet

Kyrie Irving made his Brooklyn Nets comeback from suspension Sunday night when he was named in the starting five for their 127-115 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 30-year-old was banned indefinitely by the Nets “until he complied with a series of objective remedies that addressed the harmful consequences of his behavior” after posting a link to the Amazon page of a movie based on a book that is described as ‘anti-Semitic’.

Having missed eight games since his suspension on November 3, he appears to have fulfilled the path to redemption set by the team.

Irving was included in the lineup as expected to face the Grizzlies at the Barclays Center. He started alongside Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, Royce O’Neale and Ben Simmons.

Durant scored 20 of his 26 points in the second half and the Nets pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Net guard Kyrie Irving shoots over Memphis Grizzlies forward John Konchar (46).

The 30-year-old sparked controversy by tweeting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 movie ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’

Durant has recorded 25 points in all 17 games this season and is the first since Rick Barry to score at least 25 in the first 25 games for the 1967-68 San Francisco Warriors. Durant made 9 of 16 total shots and scored 14 points in the third to help the Nets clear a five-point halftime deficit.

Ben Simmons scored a season-high 22 on 11-of-13 from the field as the Nets shot a blistering 60.2 percent. Yuta Watanabe came off the bench to add 12 of his 16 in the fourth quarter, while Irving finished with 14 after sitting out the previous eight games.

Irving issued a more formal apology in an interview with SNY on Saturday, where he said he is not anti-Semitic and wanted to deeply apologize for the posts.

He was suspended for at least five games and served that minimum suspension last Saturday, but owner Joe Tsai said Irving still had “work to do” in their victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

After missing eight games since being suspended on November 3, Irving played against the Grizzlies

Irving sparked controversy by tweeting a link to the Amazon page for the 2018 movie ‘Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America’.

The film is based on a 2015 book of the same name, which Rolling Stone described as “toxic anti-Semitic.”

After posting the Amazon link to the film on Twitter, Irving argued with the media, telling reporters, “I’m not going to back down from something I believe in.” He then seemed to backfire by deleting the message without explanation.

After days of competitive rulings from Irving, the Nets, Tsai and Silver, the club suspended the All-Star for at least five games.

Irving, who has been criticized for not apologizing, eventually said he was sorry in a statement, but only after receiving his minimum five-game suspension from the Nets.

The Nets released an angry and frustrated statement earlier this month, saying the decision to suspend Irving was a result of his continued lack of apology, the latest refusal after a terrible media appearance.

Irving has faced a barrage of criticism ranging from the team’s front office to NBA commissioner, Adam Silver, former NBA players and the media, and has never had a set date for his return after previously this month was suspended.

“I’m not an anti-Semite, I never have been,” Irving said SNY. “I have no hatred in my heart for the Jewish people or anyone who identifies as a Jew. I’m not anti-Jewish.’

The controversial film is based on a 2015 book of the same name, which Rolling Stone described as “toxic anti-Semitic.”

“I want to deeply apologize for all my actions during the time the message was first posted,” Irving continued.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think, but my initial focus—if I could do it over again—would be to heal and restore many of my close relationships with my Jewish relatives.

“I have always tried to stand up for what I believe in and stand up for those who I feel are being discriminated against based on their skin color or religion.

“I support all my brothers and sisters who are really doing the things it takes to bring harmony and peace to this world.”

Kevin Durant has taken on most of the workload and led Brooklyn to a 5-3 record in Irving’s absence. The Nets claimed wins over the Wizards, Hornets, Knicks, Clippers and Trail Blazers – coupled with losses to the Mavericks, Lakers and Kings.