Shortly after it was announced that the entire Nets team had been tested for coronavirus -- with four players testing positive, including Kevin Durant -- New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio took issue with the situation.

"We wish them a speedy recovery. But, with all due respect, an entire NBA team should NOT get tested for COVID-19 while there are critically ill patients waiting to be tested," de Blasio tweeted. "Tests should not be for the wealthy, but for the sick."

As the coronavirus pandemic has grown, many in the United States have been unable to get tested, despite attempting to do so at hospitals, primary care offices, and elsewhere.

The Nets announced Tuesday that four players have tested positive for coronavirus.

Four Brooklyn Nets players have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Of the four, one player is exhibiting symptoms while three are asymptomatic, the team said in a statement. All four players are presently isolated and under the care of team physicians.

The organization is currently notifying anyone who has had known contact with the players, including recent opponents, and is working closely with state and local health authorities on reporting. All players and members of the Nets travel party are being asked to remain isolated, closely monitor their health and maintain constant communication with team medical staff. The health of our players and staff is of the highest priority to the organization and the team is doing everything within its power to ensure that those affected receive the best care possible.
 
As always, we appreciate the support of our fans, partners and surrounding community, and we wish all those who are battling this virus a speedy recovery.

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Even if the NBA season extends into August due to the coronavirus crisis, it doesn't sound like Kevin Durant will return to the court for the Nets.

Rich Kleiman, Durant's business partner and manager, downplayed the possibility of the two-time Finals MVP returning this summer during an interview on ESPN Radio Tuesday.

"Honestly, not very realistic from my standpoint and not even spoken about," Kleiman said when asked on the Golic and Wingo Show about the possibility of Durant returning in July or August. "…. It clearly was not something that was in the cards prior to all this. And now, just like the rest of the world, it's hard to take anything more than day by day. I think that Kevin's going to figure out the space that he needs to be in to continue to rehab during this time. Even that is hard to answer at this point with the new kind of rules that were put in place (restricting player travel)."

Like just about every professional athlete these days, NBA players have a lot of time on their hands ever since the league suspended its season last Wednesday due to the coronavirus outbreak, and they're figuring out what to do with their time.

Some players have taken to playing video games, with many streaming online, and others have continued to work out and keep their bodies in shape in hopes of the season resuming as soon as possible.

But for Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie, it seems like he's going to be doing a lot of film studying...of his own highlights.

After a CDC report recommending that no gatherings of 50 or more people take place for the next eight weeks was released on Sunday night, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that a number of NBA owners and executives increasingly believe a best case scenario is a mid-to-late June return to play -- with no fans.

This may not come as such shocking news to some, with Adam Silver saying on TNT's Inside the NBA only just a few days ago, that the season would be suspended for at least 30 days and "of course it's possible" that the season as a whole gets canceled.

A return to basketball in mid-to-late June would mean the NBA Finals wouldn't take place until August -- something the league is already looking into by scouting possible arena dates that late into the year.

The Nets and Barclays Center announced on Saturday afternoon that hourly arena employees will continue to be paid for their scheduled shifts through the end of the May, unless events are rescheduled before that.

A statement released by both the team and the arena read that "Hourly workers at Barclays Center are the bedrock of the fan experience in the arena."

"While all of us are negatively affected by the suspension of the NBA season and state-wide ban on events with 500 people or more, we are especially aware of the difficulties faced by our hourly employees," the statement continues. "When games and events are cancelled or postponed, work stops and so do paychecks.

The Nets may be getting tested for the coronavirus on Saturday.

WFAN's Maggie Gray said she ran into Nets' center DeAndre Jordan on Friday, and Jordan said he thinks the entire team will be tested this weekend.

The Utah Jazz have two players with the coronavirus: Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.

On Wednesday night, the NBA became the first of the four major American sports league to suspend its season, with the NHL and MLB later following suit.

The announcement shocked the sport world, as the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder were about to tip-off from Oklahoma City when it was revealed that Jazz center Rudy Gobert had tested positive for coronavirus. 

After Wednesday's slate of games (which included two cancellations), the league officially suspended the 2019-20 season, doing what is best for team and fan safety.

On Thursday night, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver joined the Inside the NBA on TNT crew to discuss the timeline of the events that led to the suspended schedule and whether or not there's a possibility that the rest of the season will eventually be cancelled. 

The NBA announced on Wednesday evening that the league is suspending its season due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus just before Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The league released a statement saying that a Utah Jazz player has tested positive for COVID-19, and though Gobert was not specifically named, he was scratched from the lineup beforehand, and Shams Charania of The Athletic has reported Gobert did indeed test positive.

The Nets and Warriors will be playing in an empty arena Thursday night during the first game in any professional sport in the United States to not allow fans to watch due to the coronavirus.
 
The news was first reported by The New York Times' Marc Stein on Wednesday, the same day San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced all large gatherings are banned to try to curb the outbreak. 

San Francisco health officials will be issuing an order that says no gathering with more than 1,000 people will be allowed, and that ordnance will be upheld for at least two weeks to see what happens with the virus that has found its way to at least 40 states. 

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Some Nets veterans had serious questions about whether Kenny Atkinson could coach the team to an NBA title, per SNY sources.

"They weren't sure if he was the right guy," one source said Sunday.

It's unclear if the players' concerns factored in to the organization's decision to part ways with Atkinson on Saturday.

The Nets had their reasons for parting ways with fourth-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, but veteran DeAndre Jordan was adamantly against the idea that they did so due to input from Brooklyn's superstar duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.

Talking to reporters after Sunday's 110-107 win over the Chicago Bulls at Barclays Center, Jordan was pressed by one media member about outside speculation that the Nets separated with Atkinson because new players such as Irving or Durant wanted Brooklyn to do so.

Asked about Irving's potential factor into the Nets' decision on Atkinson, Jordan noted that the Nets have new players throughout the roster, such as Wilson Chandler and Garrett Temple. On the same reporter's third question, Jordan appeared to be fed up.

The Nets announced Saturday morning that they parted ways with fourth-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, but their focus shifted quickly under interim head coach Jacque Vaughn.

Led by Atkinson's fourth-year assistant -- the former Orlando Magic head coach, for two-plus seasons from 2012-15 -- the Nets came together Sunday at Barclays Center and took care of business in Sunday's 110-107 win over the Chicago Bulls.

Nets players such as rising star shooting guard Caris LeVert -- who dropped 23 points while shooting 7 of 14 from the field (4 for 6 on three-pointers) while grabbing six rebounds and dishing five assists -- opened up on Atkinson's sudden departure.

Prior to the Nets' game against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, interim head coach Jacque Vaughn told reporters that DeAndre Jordan will start at center over Jarrett Allen.

Jordan has started just four games this season, while playing in 54 total games. The 31-year-old veteran is averaging 8.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game this season in 21.8 minutes per game.

This is Vaughn's first move as head coach after the team parted ways with Kenny Atkinson on Saturday morning.

In the wake of the Nets and Kenny Atkinson "mutually parting ways" early Saturday morning, the team will now search for the next head coach to lead the franchise, and star guard Kyrie Irving seems to reportedly have someone in mind.

Per Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill, Irving reportedly would prefer if his former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach and current Los Angeles Clipper assistant coach, Tyronn Lue, became the next person to run the Nets' locker room, according to league sources.

Lue was Irving's head coach in Cleveland for one and a half seasons and was the associate head coach behind David Blatt for another season and a half up until Blatt's firing led to his promotion.

Nets general manager Sean Marks said on Saturday that the decision to let Kenny Atkinson go was made mutually between he, Atkinson and owner Joe Tsai. Marks added that the decision did not include input from players. 

"It was after deliberation with Kenny over the course of the last two or three months," Marks said. "They were ongoing. I can't really put a time on it. We decided that if there was an opportunity for a change and put the Nets in a better place, whether that was personnel on the court or any one of us, we would have that honest conversation. That's where we left it last night. This morning we discussed it, Kenny, myself and ownership, and that's the decision we came to."

Marks didn't divulge many details about the factors behind the decision, perhaps to avoid saying anything negative about Atkinson. But he did say that Atkinson, a former Knicks assistant, felt that he'd lost his presence in the Nets locker room to some degree. 

The NBA is reportedly taking precautionary measures to increase teams' preparedness for the spread of coronavirus.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, team doctors and trainers have a conference call set for Monday morning to discuss the next steps.

Meanwhile, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the league has asked all teams to have guidelines in place by March 10, including an arrangement with an infectious disease specialist, a testing facility, and a plan to limit team and arena staff.

The Nets and head coach Kenny Atkinson are mutually parting ways, the team announced on Saturday. Jacque Vaughn will serve as head coach for the remainder of the season.

SNY's Ian Begley reports that, per sources, some players felt that Atkinson had lost a portion of the locker room recently.

"After discussions with Kenny about the progress of the season, we mutually agreed that a coaching change would be in the best interest of the team," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement. "This was an extremely difficult decision, however the organization believes it is the one that is necessary at this time. Kenny was instrumental in developing our players and building the identity and culture we have become known for these past four seasons. The foundation he helped put into place here is one the we will continue to build on in the coming seasons.

Nets star forward Kevin Durant is out for the 2019-20 season, keeping his eye on the 2020-21 campaign as he recovers from a ruptured Achilles sustained last June, but he continues to make strides in his injury recovery.

Joining play-by-play broadcaster Ian Eagle and color analyst Richard Jefferson on the YES Network broadcast during the first half of Wednesday's game between the Nets and Grizzlies at Barclays Center, Durant discussed the latest in his rehab process.

Among the updates, Durant said that he has been playing 3-on-3 games.

With Kyrie Irving now out for the remainder of the season and Kevin Durant not available at all this year, the Nets are in need of someone to pick up the slack for a Brooklyn team that is still very much in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

And it looks like Caris LeVert is answering that call for help -- at least on Tuesday night he did. LeVert went on an absolute tear against the Celtics in Boston, scoring a career-high 51 points -- 37 of which came in the fourth quarter and OT -- to lead the Nets to a stunning 129-120 comeback win.

Down 71-50 midway through the third and 84-67 heading into the fourth, the Nets, led by LeVert's 26, scored a franchise-record 51 points in the final quarter.

The Nets announced that PG Kyrie Irving underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday to repair his right shoulder impingement. The procedure was performed by Dr. Riley Williams III at the Hospital for Special Surgery. 

Irving was shut down two weeks ago when he re-aggravated his shoulder, which has been bothering him all season long. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said at the time that Irving was to see a specialist, and he determined surgery was the best option.

Irving joined fellow superstar Kevin Durant as being out for the season, as No. 7 is working his way back from his Achilles injury. 

Irving only played in 20 games this season, but was averaging a career-high 27.4 points, 6.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds and shooting 48 percent from the field over 32.9 minutes per game. 

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Brooklyn GM Sean Marks has no problem with Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and other Nets sharing their thoughts on potential roster moves. 

"These guys know the players better than anyone else. (When we say to them), 'This is what we're looking at. Well what do you think?' They'll be brutally honest because they've got to go play with those guys," Marks said in an interview on WFAN's Benigno and Roberts Show earlier this week. "So I think it's important to weigh their opinions from time to time, and we certainly do that."

Many NBA stars are consulted on personnel matters. So it isn't all that surprising that Nets management would talk to its players about potential moves. 

The Nets were quiet at the recent NBA trade deadline. This summer could be different, and general manager Sean Marks said his current personnel could be of assistance when adding future pieces. 

One of the Nets stars, Kyrie Irving, recently said his team is "one or two" pieces away. His season is done and Kevin Durant's never began in the first place. 

All those circumstances combined have many looking toward Brooklyn's future, not their present. When discussing Irving's comments on WFAN radio on Monday, Marks reflected by saying that some players could be of assistance to getting the Nets to where he and Irving envision them. 

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 22 points and the Nets led by as many as 20 points, but Brooklyn ultimately fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in overtime 112-104 on Thursday night. 

With Kyrie Irving now officially done for the season due to shoulder surgery, and Kevin Durant still recovering from Achilles surgery, much of the scoring onus for the Nets will now fall on their two young staring guards, Dinwiddie and Caris LeVert.

Dinwiddie had a very strong overall game, scoring 22 points to go along with eight assists and five rebounds, while LeVert scored a team-high 25 points in the OT loss.

The Sixers jumped out to a commanding 22-4 lead on Thursday night, but the Nets answered back thanks in part to strong play from their second unit. Brooklyn outscored the Sixers 32-16 in the second quarter, taking a 10-point lead into halftime.

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

There were probably more than a few eye rolls from outside observers when the NBA Players Association voted Kyrie Irving as vice president. 

Reports of Irving being distant with teammates earlier in his career have created a perception that the Nets star isn't a great teammate. Whether that perception is fair or not probably depends on what you've seen, what you know - or what you've heard - and how you view that information. 

A couple days after being shut down for re-aggravating his shoulder injury, Nets PG Kyrie Irving will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, GM Sean Marks told reports on Thursday. 

SNY's Ian Begley reported earlier that if surgery was opted for, the expectation is Irving will miss the rest of the season. 

Irving has been dealing with shoulder bursitis throughout the season, and it already forced him to miss 26 games. Head coach Kenny Atkinson said on Tuesday that Irving was to see a specialist regarding his shoulder, and though he said he "wouldn't go there" when asked about his status the rest of the season, surgery would definitely make it end. 

Nets guard Kyrie Irving has re-aggravated the shoulder injury that caused him to miss 26 games this season and is out indefinitely, head coach Kenny Atkinson confirmed today.

Atkinson also said that Irving will see a specialist regarding his shoulder that has been continuously bothering him all season. He "wouldn't go there" when it came to concerns over Irving missing the remainder of the season.

Earlier this season, Irving opted to receive a cortisone shot instead of having surgery on the shoulder impingement, with hopes that it would be enough to get him through the pain. But obviously, that hasn't been the case.

Nets guard Kyrie Irving has been elected as a vice president of the National Basketball Players Association. He replaces Pau Gasol, whose three-year term expired, on the union's executive committee. 

"This was the right time for me to run for a leadership position in the NBPA," Irving said in a statement. "I have been an observer and a participant in union affairs for a while, but for the most part, I was off on the sidelines, supporting our Executive Committee as they made important decisions. At this point in my career, I wanted to join forces with those guys and take a bigger role outside of the basketball court and within our union."

Irving is one of six vice presidents on the NBPA's executive committee, joining Bismack Biyombo, Malcom Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, C.J. McCollum and Garrett Temple. Chris Paul is the president, while Andre Iguodala is first vice president and Anthony Tolliver is secretary-treasurer. 

Nets guard Joe Harris was not able to successfully defend his crown in the 2020 NBA Three-Point Contest.

Shortly after Spencer Dinwiddie was defeated in the first round of the Skills Competition as part of Saturday night's All-Star Weekend festivities, Harris did not advance past the first round of the Three-Point Contest.

The rules for this year's contest were slightly different than in previous years, as the NBA introduced two new "Mountain Dew zones" to the floor, set up six feet behind the arc on the wings. Players could also pick one of their racks to be made entirely of "money balls" with each shot being worth two points.

Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie participated in the NBA Taco Bell Skills Challenge at All-Star weekend in Chicago Saturday night, but didn't get to stay out there for as long as he'd have hoped.

Dinwiddie faced Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo, as the two were the opening duo to face off in the first round of the contest, and got both got off to quick starts ,swerving through the cones.

However, Dinwiddie missed his first pass attempt into the upright hoop, while Adebayo connected on his to take a lead he would never lose, hitting his three-point attempt on the first shot to knock Dinwiddie out of the challenge.

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant's manager and business partner with Thirty Five Ventures, was at the Museum of the City of New York on Tuesday. Kleiman was among the guests on hand to honor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Owen D. Thomas with Gotham Icon Awards.

Before checking out the new New York City basketball exhibition at the museum, Kleiman took a few minutes to speak with SNY about Durant, the Nets, Leon Rose, his name being linked to the Knicks presidency, Steve Stoute and his Stephon Marbury documentary.

The Q&A has been lightly edited for length.

The Nets had a big comeback in the fourth quarter against the Raptors in Toronto on Saturday, but it fell one point short, 119-118.

Entering the fourth quarter with 100 points on the board, the Raptors only mustered 19 points in the final frame as DeAndre Jordan had a strong game defensively. Jordan had 14 total rebounds, including 11 in the Nets' end. 

The Raptors led by as much as 18 in the third quarter

The Rockets completed a massive four-team trade this week, which included the Timberwolves, Nuggets and Hawks. 

The Nets were invited to be involved in those festivities, but opted not to join. 

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Rockets tried to acquire Nets center DeAndre Jordan. Per the report, the Nets turned down the offer made to them.

Even without Kyrie Irving in the lineup, the Nets destroyed the Warriors 129-88 on Wednesday night, marking the most lopsided victory for Brooklyn in the history of Barclays Center.

The Nets' 41-point margin of victory is the largest for the team since the 2009 season, when the Nets defeated the Nuggets by 44 points, with a final score of 114-70.

One of the biggest storylines for the game was that D'Angelo Russell made his return to Brooklyn, appearing as a visitor for the first time since this past offseason's sign-and trade deal that sent him to Golden State and brought Kevin Durant to Brooklyn.

The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly inquired about Nets point guard Spencer Dinwiddie, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

Lowe joined ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on The Woj Pod for an NBA trade deadline episode, and spoke about what types of moves the Lakers could make before 3 PM on Feb. 6.

"However the Lakers do have Kyle Kuzma," Lowe said. "We've heard him floated for lots of different guys, including not Marcus Morris, not Andre Iguodala, but point guard types.

"Not just Iguodala and Marcus Morris, but Spencer Dinwiddie, Dennis Schroder, I think that they've made some calls on."

Although the Nets will be without an All-Star this season, they will still be well represented at NBA All-Star weekend in Chicago, as Spencer Dinwiddie prepares to participate in the Skills Competition, and Joe Harris gets set to defend his 3-point contest championship.

Harris, a career 42.3 percent shooter from 3-point range, is having a slight down year from beyond the arc, shooting just 40.5 percent -- he shot at a 47.4 percent clip from three last season.

Despite that slight dip, Harris is still ready to defend the title he won during last season's 3-point competition, when he narrowly defeated Stephen Curry 26-24 in the final round to claim the trophy.

Nets forward Kevin Durant was seen running -- even almost sprinting -- for the first time since rupturing his achilles back in June during the NBA Finals as a member of the Golden State Warriors.

Durant, who tore his achilles in Game 5 against the Toronto Raptors, was seen running with a football at the Nets' practice facility on Tuesday in Brooklyn. He also managed to throw a pass across the court after the run.

.@KDTrey5 is running 💨 pic.twitter.com/nEDjimFTE7

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With Kyrie Irving out with a knee sprain, the Nets needed someone to step up as they fight to remain seventh in the Eastern Conference. On Monday, Caris LeVert assumed that role.

Making his first appearance in the starting lineup since Nov. 10, LeVert went off for a game-high 29 points on 10-for-20 shooting, the most he's scored all season and a tie for the most he's had in his career.

"We needed it," head coach Kenny Atkinson said. "He did it on both ends. His defense was excellent and, of course, offensively. He really, really carried us."

Joe Harris will defend his title in the NBA's Three-Point Content at All-Star Weekend on Feb. 15, the Nets' swingman confirmed prior to the team's game against the Suns on Monday.

Harris won the competition last season in his first appearance, defeating the likes of Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Devin Booker and Dirk Nowitzki, among others. At one point, he made 12 consecutive shots en route to the title.

His confirmed competition this season includes Lillard, Buddy Hield and Trae Young.

After the Nets revealed Sunday that Kyrie Irving's knee injury from Saturday's 113-107 loss to the Wizards (17-31) was a sprain and not a tear, Brooklyn's star point guard expanded on the medial ligament sprain diagnosis.

Taking to Instagram later Sunday evening, Irving shared a story that showed white text on a black screen, typing out the following message exactly as it appears below.

"I appreciate everyone reaching out!" Irving wrote. "I'll be okay after last nights tweak with my knee. Honestly, what a scare, but I know God and the angels definitely looked out for me on that one! The Marathon Continues though, gotta keep the same focus and determination to get back out there when I'm Healthy! What a week of Challenges, but I trust in the Divine Purpose of life!"

The Nets avoided a catastrophe, as Kyrie Irving's MRI revealed only a "medial ligament strain" in his right knee, the team announced. He will be re-evaluated in one week.

Brooklyn announced Saturday night that Irving had suffered a knee sprain, but many expected the worst when the star point guard clutched at his right knee in pain after getting tangled up with Bradley Beal in the fourth quarter. As the two went down to the ground fighting for the ball, Irving's leg ended up bent in an awkward position underneath Beal.

Once the play was ruled a jump ball, Irving rolled over on the floor and was noticeably writhing in pain and grabbing his leg. After getting up, stretching out his leg and losing the jump ball, Irving subbed out of the game and went back to the locker room immediately.

After Kyrie Irving led the Nets to a 133-118 win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night with a 54-point performance, teammate Spencer Dinwiddie expressed his feelings on not being invited to the Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

"Look at it like this: I won the Skills Challenge and didn't get invited back," Dinwiddie said. "What does that f---in' say? Have you ever met a winner of an award not get invited back? Now that s--t is pretty crazy. Folks don't care about me. I'm Spencer. Quit playin'."

Dinwiddie won the 2018 Skills Challenge in Los Angeles, CA., beating Chicago Bulls' Lauri Markkanen in the finals. Though, he was not able to participate in the 2019 Skills Challenge due to an injury.

Kyrie Irving had a night to remember on Friday against the Bulls.

The six-time All-Star scored 54 points on 19-of-23 shooting in 31 remarkable minutes at Barclays Center. Irving was 7-of-9 from beyond the arc and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. He also added five assists and five rebounds as the Nets beat the Bulls 133-118.

Irving's 54 points are the third most ever by a Net in a single game, just three points shy of Deron Williams' record, set in March 2012 against Charlotte. He also became the first Net to score 45+ points three times in a single season, an incredible fact considering it was just his 19th game with the team this season. He is also the first Net ever to record multiple 50-point games in the same season.

Kyrie Irving had a perfect first half against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night.

In 16 minutes, Irving went 10-for-10 from the floor. The six-time All-Star knocked down all four of his three-point attempts, including a buzzer-beater from well beyond the after stealing the ball at half-court to end the first half.

The Nets led Chicago 73-57 at the half, with Irving leading all scorers. He also added three rebounds and one assist. 

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Like all teams around the NBA, the Nets have been mourning the loss of Kobe Bryant. 

Star point guard Kyrie Irving discussed his relationship with Bryant after Wednesday's win over Detroit. He said that Bryant's death still feels like an 'open wound.'

Following the Nets' 125-115 win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night, Kyrie Irving spoke about the impact that the late Kobe Bryant had on his life.

For Irving, it was his first time speaking publicly about Bryant, who, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, passed away at the age of 41 in a helicopter accident on Sunday. 

Irving, who Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson said was much closer to Bryant than many knew, spoke about how much of an impact that Bryant had on his life, both on and off of the court. In fact, Bryant offered Irving guidance while he was navigating his trade demand out of Cleveland.

Before the Brooklyn Nets tipped off with the Detroit Pistons for Wednesday's game, Barclays Center stood still during a pregame tribute to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

The 41-year-old Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter died Sunday in a southern California helicopter crash that killed nine people while reportedly going from Calabasas to nearby Thousand Oaks, where the Mamba Sports Academy is located, for a travel basketball game.

In the few days that have followed, the tragic accident has shaken the sports world to its core. The impact Bryant had was evident again prior to the midweek contest as Nets star point guard Kyrie Irving -- who did not play in Sunday's 110-97 loss to the Knicks at Madison Square Garden due to personal reasons -- was among those who appeared shaken up, fighting back tears during Brooklyn's tribute to the Bryants.

After not playing in Sunday's game against the Knicks following the tragic death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving is expected to play on Wednesday night against the Detroit Pistons, per Nets coach Kenny Atkinson.

"Yes, I expect him to play. I think we all understand that we have to focus on the task at hand and our jobs," Atkinson said on Wednesday. "Obviously, the message is we have to make up some ground here before the All-Star break, and it starts tonight at home against a team we battled with the other night.

"We've been in contact and we've talked, and I think it's hard for me to get into what, when, how, where, but yes, we've been communicating."

Ian Begley, SNY.tv | Twitter | 

Nets star Kyrie Irving returned to the practice court on Tuesday for the first time since the death of his mentor, Kobe Bryant. 

Nets head coach Kenny Atkinson didn't want to speak for Irving, but he noted that his point guard was 'tremendously affected' by Bryant's death. 

"I think he was closer to Kobe than people realize. …Very, very affected (by Bryant's death)," Atkinson said after Tuesday's practice. "He practiced today, kind of stoic and quiet. Competed his tail off in practice and was really good. But you can see, he's obviously still affected."