Kyrie Irving is almost back, which is not to be confused with him actually being back.
Because he’s not back. Only almost back, sans a concrete return date.
We apparently needed that explanation, because no one can quite get a hold of when the Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star is returning. Irving has spouted off all the usual encouraging cliches when asked about his health but has never even hinted at anything definitive.
But then a league source told ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin that Irving was planning to make his season debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. And that was that.
Until it wasn’t.
Irving took to Twitter and dismissed the rumor:
Sorry to dwindle the news, but I won't be returning tmrw. It was wrongfully reported. When I do come back you'll hear it directly from me.
— Kyrie Irving (@KyrieIrving) December 16, 2015
So maybe that’s that.
This is a really bizarre situation. It makes sense that the Cavaliers are being cautious with their 23-year-old stud, but McMenamin is a well-respected and connected beat writer. And the way Irving emphasizes that we’ll hear about his return from him, it makes you wonder if he doesn’t have some grand announcement planned that McMenamin spoiled.
Like, imagine if Irving does, in fact, return Thursday after taking to Twitter or UnInterrupted or some other medium with a last-minute FYI. I’m not ruling it out. I’m not ruling anything out at that this point. I wouldn’t be surprised if Irving played Thursday anyway, just as I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t take the floor until 2016.
