Kyrie Irving’s ailing shoulder is still a major problem, so much so that the possibility of surgery has entered the equation.
The Brooklyn Nets guard said Saturday he is struggling to lift his shoulder and has opted for a cortisone shot in an attempt to avoid surgery. There remains no clear timetable for his return to action.
Kyrie Irving, talking to reporters for the first time since Nov. 14, said he is "doing a lot better." He said he is struggling to lift his shoulder when taking jump shots.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 4, 2020
He said the shoulder first flared up during the Nov. 4 game against the Pelicans. He said he has had Cortisone injected into his shoulder.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 4, 2020
Irving said that surgery has been posed as a possibility. Getting the cortisone shot was done in attempt to hold off on surgery. He does not have imminent plans for surgery, but will continue to evaluate.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 4, 2020
Irving has only played in 11 games this season, and last played on Nov. 14 due to what is being called a shoulder impingement. There was a clear hint of the severity of the injury in late December, when the guard was clearly behind an earlier timetable to return to practice.
While there’s still hope that Irving will return this season, there will come a point when a decision must be made based on whether he’s getting better or not. Surgery can’t be ruled out at this point, and that would likely put the rest of his season in danger if it goes that route.
