Morning sports update: Paul Pierce explained the one ‘issue’ he had with Kyrie Irving’s comments
"There was no communication, nobody knew what was going on."
Tonight, the Celtics face the 76ers at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia. Boston is trying to bounce back following Sunday’s loss to the Knicks.
Tomorrow, the Bruins face the Flyers at TD Garden, attempting to end a two-game losing streak.
Elsewhere, the Revolution signed goalkeeper Matt Turner to a contract extension after the 26-year-old helped New England reach the Eastern Conference Final in the 2020 season.
And in NFL news, 39-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers announced he is retiring from the NFL.
Philip Rivers’ statement to ESPN is dadgum tremendous: pic.twitter.com/30KaEFGy0X
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2021
Paul Pierce on Kyrie Irving: On Tuesday, Kyrie Irving returned to Nets practice after a prolonged absence (missing seven games) due to personal reasons and COVID-19 protocols. Irving was fined for both for his missed time, and (even more heavily) for his league health policy violations.
Now back with the team, Irving is set to play for Brooklyn on Wednesday night against the Cavaliers at 7 p.m. It will be the first time that he will play alongside new teammate James Harden.
Speaking on ESPN basketball program “The Jump,” former Celtic Paul Pierce accepted Irving’s absence as it pertained to the superstar’s mental health.
“Yeah it was good to see him smile, just to have him back,” said Pierce. “He’s one of our game’s greats, and we all go through our trials and tribulations.”
Still, Pierce took issue with one aspect of how Irving had handled his absence.
“The only thing is, when you go through these things, it’s about the respect of the organization and your teammates,” Pierce explained. “The consequence when he first went away, there was no communication, nobody knew what was going on. That’s what your teammates, that’s what your organization is there to help you in those times. I know you have family, they can help you also.”
“It’s just, [the] only thing I had a problem with was the communication.”
Trivia: Tom Brady will become the fourth quarterback to start in both an AFC and NFC Championship game. Who are the other three?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Their respective teams were the 49ers/Chiefs, Washington/Raiders, Cowboys/Broncos.
More from Boston.com:
- Reporter who broke ‘Deflategate’ story admitted he has ‘just a seed’ of doubt over Patriots’ guilt
- Celtics’ Jayson Tatum will not play against the Sixers on Wednesday, still ‘to be determined’ for Friday
- Tiger Woods to miss upcoming events after 5th back surgery
- AP source: George Springer agrees to $150 million, 6-year deal with Blue Jays
- Celtics’ Robert Williams woke up sweating due to COVID-19, says virus ‘took a toll’
- Tom Brady’s Bucs can become 1st to play Super Bowl at home
- Dream close to being sold, taking Kelly Loeffler out of WNBA
- Don Sutton, Hall of Fame pitcher for Dodgers, dies at 75
- NBA commissioner Adam Silver says the league is considering vaccinating players
- Kyrie Irving addressed his absence from the Brooklyn Nets and his future in basketball
- Tom Brady and Julian Edelman showed on Instagram that their bond is still strong
- Tom Brady provided another pitch for Richard Seymour to make the Hall of Fame
- Delonte West reportedly has a job at the rehab facility he attended
As far as passes go, this one wasn’t bad from Jazz star Donovan Mitchell
:
What a look from Donovan Mitchell! 👀
He’s up to 18 PTS as the @utahjazz lead at the break on NBA TV. pic.twitter.com/sTB7C5C2mn
— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2021
Former Revolution forward Taylor Twellman was not going to tolerate the disrespect:
Today’s @SportsNation was so much fun I’d rather go play solitaire.
Talking “streaks” in sports and @TreavorScales thinks he’s funny.
Sorry @NERevolution nation. #NERevs #MLS
📺: https://t.co/uGlz0j0mTp pic.twitter.com/HxOhQ6g7RH
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) January 19, 2021
On this day: In 1996, Ray Bourque won the MVP of the NHL All-Star Game in Boston after scoring the deciding goal with less than a minute remaining as the East won, 5-4.
Daily highlight: Goalkeeper Tom King pulled off the extraordinary achievement of scoring from a goal kick on Tuesday in a 1-1 draw between English League Two sides Newport County (who King plays for) and Cheltenham Town.
😦😦😦
Newport County goalkeeper Tom King scored directly from his own enormous goal kick this evening to help his side draw with Cheltenham Town! pic.twitter.com/lEOz4VSi2i
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) January 19, 2021
Trivia answer: Joe Montana, Jay Schroeder, and Craig Morton.
Get Boston.com's browser alerts:
Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com