Kyrie Irving has apologised for posting a link to a movie which had antisemitic references - and could return for the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday.
Irving was suspended by the Nets for five games without pay after he failed to apologise for sharing a link to an antisemitic film on social media. The seven-time All-Star refused to ‘unequivocally say he has no antisemitic views’ despite having numerous opportunities to do so.
He was asked to work through six steps on a potential path forward back to the Nets. The Nets told him to apologise, make a $500,000 donation to anti-hate causes and also complete sensitivity training and antisemitic training. The franchise have also requested him to meet with ADL, Jewish community leaders in Brooklyn, and finally with owner Joe Tsai to truly showcase the work he has put in.
However, Irving has now apologised for his actions and could be set to return to the court on Sunday after an eight-game absence. He detailed a number of incidents over the past few weeks, insisting he reacted emotionally to being labelled antisemitic.
“I really want to focus on the hurt that I caused or the impact that I made within the Jewish community,” Irving told SNY. “Putting some type of threat, or assumed threat, on the Jewish community.
“I just want to apologise deeply for all my actions throughout the time that it’s been since the post was first put up. I’ve had a lot of time to think. But my focus, initially, if I could do it over, would be to heal and repair a lot of my close relationships with my Jewish relatives, brothers and sisters.”
When asked about the movie he linked, Irving reiterated that he watched the film in an effort to learn more about his heritage. He added: “I wanted to share the link with all those that were also on the same journey and search for their heritage as I am on.
“The unfortunate aspect in that three-hour documentary is the antisemotic remarks in terms of generalising Jewish people. I believe that was unfair. That wasn’t the aspect of the post that I wanted the focus to be on.”
Irving has courted controversy in the past, notably with his stance over the Covid vaccine, which led to long stretches of ineligibility to play or even practice with the Nets due to the New York City Covid vaccine mandate. The former Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers star was also reportedly an advocate of flat earth theory, although he later apologised.
Even just last month, Irving shared a video by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones from 2002 to his Instagram story. The video - titled ‘Never Forget - Alex Jones Tried To Warn Us’ - refers to a 'New World Order' that would 'release plagues'.
Irving was averaging 26.9 points per game to go with 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists before his suspension and the the Nets currently sit at 7-9. After missing eight games due to team suspension upon his reluctance to denounce his antisemitic stances, Irving is finally expected to play and be back in action on Sunday at home vs Memphis Grizzlies.
