Nets: Kyrie Irving ruled out of Game 4 vs Bucks due to ankle sprain The Brooklyn Nets

Nets: Kyrie Irving ruled out of Game 4 vs Bucks due to ankle sprain
The Brooklyn Nets were looking to lean on the performances of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant in order to take down Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 4 of their playoff series, in order to pull ahead and take a 3-1 lead.

Without James Harden due to his hamstring troubles, the Nets have leaned on Irving to take over, and he’s done a solid job so far.

Unfortunately, the Nets will now have to try and pull out the W without two of their three stars in this game, as Irving was helped to the locker room after landing on Giannis’ foot when coming down after a shot attempt.

This unfortunate Kyrie injury has forced him to be ruled out for the remainder of the game, which is a huge obstacle laid in Brooklyn’s path.

On top of the fact that an ankle injury is devastating for a player like Irving that uses speed and quickness to form the backbone of his game, a high ankle sprain could potentially sideline Irving for weeks.

The Nets will likely use some combination of Bruce Brown, Landry Shamet, and potentially Tyler Johnson to replace Irving in the lineup, Whatever positive traits those three may have, this is not an ideal situation.

The Nets still have Durant, and that will get them far in the postseason, but they need to find some way to potentially make up for Irving’s production if both he and Harden end up missing the rest of this series.

The Nets are 3-0 in games where Durant played without Irving and Harden, but regular season wins against the Knicks, Pacers, and Timberwolves don’t compare to staring down a two-time MVP in Giannis in the postseason. The Nets need Durant to take over and a little bit of luck to pull out wins in this series.

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Kyrie Irving exited Sunday's Game 4 against the Milwaukee Bucks with an ankle injury. He was later ruled out with a sprained right ankle.

Irving suffered the injury in the second quarter when he landed on Giannis Antetokounmpo's foot after converting a layup. He remained on the ground for the Bucks' ensuing offensive possession before the Nets called a timeout. Irving eventually was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.

Brooklyn was already without James Harden, who suffered a hamstring injury in the opening minute of the second-round series. Head coach Steve Nash said on Sunday that Harden still has "a gap to make up" before he's able to return to the lineup.

The Nets were looking to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to Brooklyn, but Irving's absence makes that a much taller task.

Kyrie Irving injury update: Nets guard ruled out of Game 4 vs. Bucks with sprained ankle
Kyrie Irving exited Sunday's Game 4 vs. the Bucks with an apparent ankle injury, and he was eventually ruled out the remainder of Game 4.

Irving was hurt in the second quarter as he landed awkwardly and rolled his ankle on a layup attempt. He would stay on the floor for the ensuing possession.

Irving seemed to land on Giannis Antetokounmpo's foot on the hoop attempt, but no foul was called for undercutting Irving.

The Nets, who were already without guard James Harden, would be without Irving for the remainder of the second quarter after that.

There's no telling how severe the injury is, but Irving was able to walk off, albeit gingerly, under his own power.

Here's the latest on the injury:

Depending on how quickly the sprain heals, he may or may not be available for Game 5, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15.

Midway through the second quarter, Irving walked back to the locker room under his own power but struggled to put weight on his right leg.

Nets coach Steve Nash told reporters after the game that X-rays on Irving's ankle were negative. 

"We'll have to see how it goes (Monday) in further tests and treatment," Nash said.

Nets' Kyrie Irving ruled out of Game 4 with ankle sprain
yrie Irving left the Brooklyn Nets' 107-96 Game 4 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday with a right ankle sprain.K

Head coach Steve Nash revealed postgame that X-rays on Irving's ankle were negative and that the point guard will undergo further testing on Monday. Irving was in a walking boot and using crutches following the injury, according to ESPN's Rachel Nichols.

Irving suffered the injury in the second quarter when he landed on Giannis Antetokounmpo's foot after converting a layup. He remained on the ground for the Bucks' ensuing offensive possession before the Nets called a timeout. Irving eventually was able to walk to the locker room under his own power.

The Irving-less Nets trailed by as many as 19 points in the second half as they lost a second straight game in Milwaukee.

Brooklyn was already without James Harden, who suffered a hamstring injury in the opening minute of the second-round series. Prior to Sunday's loss, Nash said Harden still has "a gap to make up" before he's able to return to the lineup.

Now the Nets head back to Brooklyn with a 2-2 series tie and the status of another one of their superstars being up in the air. 

Kyrie Irving injured as Bucks even series against Nets with Game 4 win
After dropping the first two games, the Milwaukee Bucks evened the series 2-2 with a physical 107-96 win over the depleted Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. The Nets' Kyrie Irving will undergo further tests Monday after initial X-rays on his right ankle came back negative, coach Steve Nash said after the game.

Irving left the arena on crutches with a walking boot on his right foot, a source told The Athletic.

The guard was ruled out at halftime after spraining his right ankle in the second quarter of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Irving was hurt after landing on the foot of Antetokounmpo after jumping for a layup. He turned his ankle and stayed down as play went to the other end; soon after, he limped back to the locker room.

Forward Giannis Antetokounmpo powered the Bucks' offense, with 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Khris Middleton (19 points) and Jrue Holiday (14) had eight and nine assists, respectively.

Irving had 11 points on 5-of-11 shooting and five rebounds before leaving. Forward Kevin Durant led the Nets with 28 points, 13 rebounds and five assists.

The Nets starters were substituted out of the game with 4:28 left in the game as they trailed by 15 points. The Bucks starters were pulled shortly afterward.

Shortly after the conclusion of the game, Fiserv Forum was evacuated as the arena's fire alarm went off. A mechanical issue in the administrative offices of the arena triggered the alarm, but there was no fire, the Bucks and Fiserv Forum said in a statement. Media members were eventually permitted to re-enter the arena.

Brooklyn has battled absences throughout the season. Irving missed time in January for personal reasons and then had to leave a May game against the Bulls after taking an elbow to the face. Fellow big three members Durant and James Harden missed time due to hamstring strains, and Durant also missed games with a thigh injury.

The Nets are still without Harden, who injured his hamstring in the first minute of Game 1 and hasn't played since. Forward Jeff Green returned to the lineup Sunday for the first time since injuring his foot May 25 against the Celtics, posting eight points and five rebounds in 27 minutes.

After the loss, Nash said he won’t rush Harden back if Irving is not able to play in Game 5 or if Harden pushes to play, adding that the injuries are "independent" of each other.

Entering Sunday, Irving was averaging 24.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in the playoffs.

Game 5 is Tuesday back in Brooklyn, with Game 6 set for Thursday in Milwaukee. Game 7, if necessary, will be Saturday in Brooklyn.

Analyzing Irving's injury
Virginia Zakas, Inside Injuries: X-rays were negative, but the MRI will be more important as it will show if there is any ligament damage. Irving was limping pretty significantly as he headed to the locker room and appeared to be in pain when the medical staff was touching the ankle.

I expect Kyrie to miss multiple games. If it’s a mild sprain he could be back in the next week (at less than 100 percent), but a more significant sprain would need 5-8 weeks to heal.

How the Nets adapted without Kyrie
Alex Schiffer, Nets beat writer: With Irving and Harden out, the Nets had Mike James run their offense with Durant getting the majority of the touches. Nash said the Nets offense is much more predictable, which made it easier for the Bucks defense to get set.

Durant had P.J. Tucker on him and Giannis waiting for him if he got past Tucker. Joe Harris struggled for the second straight game and the Nets elected to try and play at a higher tempo to try and erase the deficit, which sent Blake Griffin to the bench.

Milwaukee kept the Nets around, but Brooklyn was never able to make it a game after Irving departed.

How the Bucks' approach changes if Irving misses time
Eric Nehm, Bucks beat writer: While James has been good throughout the series for the Nets, there is no replacing Irving. Once Irving went off the floor, the Bucks were able to send even more help in Durant's direction without any fear that the other Nets could really hurt them on the offensive end.

Durant, who made just nine of his 25 shots on Sunday, saw a wall of Bucks defenders every time he touched the ball and the Bucks were able to make him uncomfortable. If Irving cannot get back on the floor for Game 5, Durant should expect much of the same from the Bucks' defense.

How important is Kyrie to the Nets' title hopes?
Schiffer: Irving was Brooklyn's most reliable star in the regular season, as his 54 games played were most than both Harden and Durant, who both missed significant time due to hamstring strains. Harden left Game 1 of the Bucks series early due to a reaggravation of his hamstring. Nash said Harden is progressing but has yet to offer a timeline for his return.

The Nets could still b