Nets’ Kyrie Irving Ankle Injury Broken Down By EX-NBA Staffer
With 6:04 left in the second quarter of game four of the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets game. Kyrie Irving went down with a right ankle sprain and will not return, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania and ESPN’s Rachel Nichols.
Neither Nichols nor Charania reported a specific degree. So, with that being said, Kyrie Irving could be out between a week to six weeks, depending on the degree. I reached out to former Lakers trainer Marco Nunez to discuss Irving’s injury.
“It depends on the degree of the sprain and the ligaments affected/damaged. If a typical lateral ankle sprain (no other structures affected) 1st degree: 7 – 14 days 2nd degree: 2 – 4 weeks 3 degree: 4 – 8 weeks,” said Nunez.
“Also, keep in mind that most professional players have had an ankle sprain, so a very mild ankle sprain, a professional basketball player can potentially return as early as 3-5 days.”
After the game Dr. Chan tweeted that Irving appears to have a grade 2 inversion ankle sprain.
“#KyrieIrving’s injury appears: Grade 2 right inversion ankle sprain. Structures probably involved: anterior talofibular, calcaneofibular, & posterior talofibular, in that order. Most likely no fractures if he was able to walk, probably out for this & next series #nets @BrooklynNets.”
The severity or grade of the injury can only be confirmed from an MRI & hands-on examination.
Kyrie Irving left the game with 11 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes of play.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
