James Harden, Kyrie Irving available tonight

Ian Begley: Nets say both James Harden (knee) and Kyrie Irving (ankle) are available vs CHI tonight.
Source: Twitter @IanBegley

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Dave Early @DavidEarly
“As two people that are bonded, beyond just father and son. Growing up w/o my mom, b-ball was s/t that connected us and rooted us. But as I’ve gotten older, he just knows that the human being who I am is far more important….”
-Kyrie Irving talks about the importance of his dad pic.twitter.com/1eXgOrJznW – 1:29 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving said he’s usually watching the Nets at home either alone or with his family. Said he can’t go out to a bar or something to do so. Said watching from afar “it’s like drinking something you don’t want to drink.” – 1:16 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving said he’s still in preseason form while the rest of the team is in midseason form. – 1:14 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving said he told Blake Griffin he owes him three layups from the Portland game. – 1:14 AM Sean Highkin @highkin
Harden dragging Kyrie to the David Guetta concert (Kyrie is Rashida Jones) pic.twitter.com/cLM6NicloS – 1:11 AM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Asked James Harden if he still has hope Kyrie Irving will play at home, he grinned and joked “I’m gonna give him the shot.” #Nets #NBA – 1:09 AM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kyrie Irving: “We were in that flow where it gets dangerous for other teams and our opponent.” – 1:09 AM Barbara Barker @meanbarb
“I’m going to give him the shot,” said James Harden when asked by @Brian Lewis if he was still holding out hope that Kyrie could play at home sometime. – 1:09 AM Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
James Harden joked that he would give Kyrie Irving the vaccine shot himself so he can play home games – 1:08 AM Dave Early @DavidEarly
“We’re all killers, we attack and we’re all unselfish we like to just make the right play.”
-James Harden on the #Nets big three. – 1:08 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Asked if he’s still hopeful that Kyrie Irving will be eligible for home games, James Harden says “Man I’m going to give him the shot.” – 1:07 AM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Is Harden still holding out hope that Kyrie will be able to play in home games?
A small smile crept over Harden’s face as he answered.
“I’m going to give him the shot.” – 1:07 AM James Harden @JHarden13
pic.twitter.com/2vPlhwZLst – 1:07 AM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden on whether Kyrie Irving will play at Barclays this season: “I think imma give him the (vaccine) shot.” – 1:06 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Harden reminded that Friday marks a year since the trade for him. “It’s been a crazy crazy year.” – 1:05 AM Dave Early @DavidEarly
“Man that’s one of the best feelings honestly. You either did something right or did something wrong.”
-James Harden laughs about getting to rest early tonight. He and KD played 30 and 33 minutes respectively. – 1:05 AM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden on sitting most of the 4th quarter: “That’s one of the best feelings honestly. Either you did something right or did something wrong. Tonight was a case of us doing something right.” – 1:05 AM Zach Kram @zachkram
James Harden, asked if he’s surprised the Nets’ Big 3 is clicking so well already:
“No. We’re that good.” – 1:03 AM Barbara Barker @meanbarb
“No we’re that good” says Harden when asked if he was surprised how quickly the big 3 came together. pic.twitter.com/s3titBaPna – 1:03 AM StatMuse @statmuse
James Harden since Christmas:
27.3 PPG
8.4 RPG
10.8 APG
45.1 FG% pic.twitter.com/Dj2iYidEvx – 12:30 AM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Just the third time of the year Kevin Durant finished with less than 31 minutes in a game. Some old school load management in Chicago. This is one of the key reasons they wanted to bring Kyrie Irving back. Get wins, avoid burnout. – 12:27 AM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Nets 138, Bulls 112
Bulls allow opponent season-high points
LaVine 22 pts, 6 assists
Durant 27 points in 30 minutes (7-10 FGs), 9 assists
Harden 25 pts, 16 assists, 7 rebs
Mills 21 pts
Sharpe 20 pts – 12:26 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Final: Nets beat the Bulls 138-112. An absolute beatdown and statement made by Brooklyn. The big three are unguardable when they’re out there. This is the team Nash and Marks envisioned when they traded for Harden. Brooklyn has OKC at home tomorrow. I expect some guys to rest. – 12:26 AM Alykhan Bijani @Rockets_Insider
Always a joy to watch James Harden operate an offense. – 12:11 AM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden just showing off now with a between-the-legs assist to Day’Ron Sharpe. – 12:10 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kevin Durant and James Harden have only played 30 minutes, Kyrie Irving 24 minutes. Imagine telling someone that last week. – 12:07 AM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Big smiles on the Nets bench after that Edwards dunk. Complete domination in the second half. The Bulls are good and are in the midst of a really nice year — but they don’t have the type of star power that can match Brooklyn when they’re healthy and Kyrie is on the floor. – 12:03 AM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Mills, Harden and Durant are 12 for 17 from 3-point line. This one’s over over, #Bulls trail by 29 early 4thQ – 12:01 AM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
28-8 Nets run and Kyrie didn’t score or assist on any of those points – 11:54 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Durant and Harden are 18 of 19 from the foul line. Brooklyn pulling away, up by 20 late 3rdQ. #Bulls – 11:52 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Two huge defensive plays by the Nets rookies — blocks by both Kessler Edwards and Day’Ron Sharpe — have helped the Nets sustain a 78-71 lead here in the 3rd quarter. Kevin Durant and James Harden have combined for 36 points and 14 assists. – 11:35 PM StatMuse @statmuse
Triple-doubles by a Cavs player since LeBron’s first year in the league:
64 — LeBron James
1 — Kyrie Irving
1 — Darius Garland (11/10/15 tonight)
(Submitted by @DeePee30) pic.twitter.com/A0QePEWMls – 11:24 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Harden has 14 at the half and has already been to the line six times. Kyrie started 0-for-4 and has hit three of his last four shots. Pretty evenly matched half — it will be interesting to see just how much KD gets rolling down the stretch. Took just four shots in 18 min. – 11:13 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
HALFTIME: Nets 62, Bulls 60
This is what playoff basketball is supposed to look and feel like. The Big 3 have accounted for exactly half of the Nets’ points, led by James Harden’s 14 points and 5 assists. This game shows how deadly the Nets will be when Joe Harris is back. – 11:13 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Halftime: Nets lead the Bulls 62-60. Inject this game into veins. Lots of back and forth. Harden, Durant and Mills all in double-figures. Irving and Zach LaVine heated up towards the end of the half. Fun second half coming. – 11:12 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
#Bulls trailed Nets by as many as 9, but are within 62-60 at halftime.
It’s been a shootout: LaVine 17, DeRozan 15, White 10.
–Harden 14, Durant 10, Mills 11, Irving 7. – 11:12 PM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
Nets 62, Bulls 60 at half
LaVine 17 pts, 4 assists
DeRozan 15 pts
Harden 14 pts, 5 assists
Mills 11 pts
Durant 10 pts, 6 assists – 11:11 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
The big three are back in. Harden, Durant and Irving are rolling with Edwards and Griffin. – 11:08 PM Adam Spolane @AdamSpolane
The Rockets won in San Antonio the day after they traded James Harden. Tonight the Rockets won in San Antonio on the day before the one year anniversary of the James Harden trade – 11:06 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kevin Durant and James Harden each have five assists. Billy Donovan said guarding them is two-fold because they’re elite scorers, but their passing can create numerous problems, too. – 11:04 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving’s first shot comes in the mid-range and puts the Nets up 55-51 with 3:47 left. – 11:03 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Durant back out there with Edwards, Griffin, Thomas, and Irving. – 11:00 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
One of those nights where Kyrie Irving looks a bit rusty. He’s getting to the spots he traditionally loves but the shots aren’t falling and he’s 0-of-4 to start this one. – 10:58 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
It’s a make-or-miss league, but the #Nets shot profile is going to give them a good chance in this one. Paint looks and open corner 3s. Brooklyn up 51-42 and Irving hasn’t scored yet. – 10:56 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden has 11 points, is 2-of-2 from downtown, and is going to the line for 3 free throws after drawing a foul on a stepback. The Nets are best when Harden is in attack mode and tonight is even more proof he needs to play 120 MPH at all times. – 10:53 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nash rolling with Harden, Irving, Sharpe, Edwards and Thomas now. Nets up six with 6:56 left in the half. – 10:52 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden’s gonna pull out the chef move the way he’s cooking tonight. – 10:50 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Johnson was out of position two plays ago and neglected to set a screen for James Harden when he brought the ball up the floor. This time, Johnson sets the screen for Harden, then rolls and is on the receiving end of an assist.
Harden opened both hands and said, “See?” – 10:47 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Cam Thomas in to start the second quarter with James Johnson, Mills, Harden and Edwards. – 10:45 PM Barbara Barker @meanbarb
Kyrie Irving scoreless in first quarter, but Nets are shooting 57 percent and lead 38-31. They just look so much better with him. – 10:43 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
End of the first quarter: Nets lead the Bulls 38-31. Harden and Durant each have eight and five players have at least two baskets. Balanced attack to start. Vučević got some easy shots in the short roll. Bulls also have balanced scoring. Nash only went eight deep. No Cam yet. – 10:42 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
#Bulls were very sloppy on defense in 1stQ, besides having to deal with tough matchups. Nets lead 38-31, shot 57% from field.
DeRozan has 9 pts; Durant & Harden 8 each – 10:41 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
END OF Q1: Nets 38, Bulls 31
Strong first quarter for the Nets against a team they’ve struggled against this season. The Nets played the Bulls on the 2nd leg of a back-to-back both times this season. This time, they have fresh(er) legs, and Kyrie Irving, who has 3 AST in Q1. – 10:40 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Strong first quarter for the Nets, even if Kyrie Irving doesn’t have a basket. – 10:39 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Irving back on the floor with Durant, Griffin, Mills and Bembry. – 10:30 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
James Harden is aggressive tonight. This is good – 10:28 PM Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Quite sure that was the first catch and shoot corner 3 Harden has made all year – 10:27 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
First wave of subs has Patty Mills, KD, Harden, Mills and Bembry out there. – 10:23 PM Danny Leroux @DannyLeroux
Love LaVine sticking with Harden through the bump there – 10:22 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Edwards get a steal and Harden throws him the lob on a two-on-one. Nets up 11-9. – 10:19 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
LaVine is on Irving. – 10:15 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Bulls open up with Ball on Harden, Jones Jr. on Durant and DeRozan on Irving. – 10:11 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets starting Harden, Irving, Durant, Edwards and Sharpe against the Bulls. First career start for DayDay. Nets hoping he makes the Bulls go NightNight. – 9:41 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
Harden, Irving, Durant, Edwards and Sharpe will start for the #Nets. It’s the first-career start for Day’Ron Sharpe and the second for Kessler Edwards, both rookies. Sharpe is the 16th Net to start this season, three shy of the team record. #NBA #Bulls – 9:40 PM Mike McGraw @McGrawDHSports
Brooklyn’s two main big men, LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Claxton are out tonight. So Nets will start rookies Kessler Edwards and Day-Ron Sharpe with Durant, Harden and Irving vs. #Bulls.
Blake Griffin, James Johnson, Patty Mills among those available off the bench. – 9:39 PM Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kessler Edwards, and Day’Ron Sharpe will start for the Nets tonight against the Bulls. – 9:30 PM Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Season is in January, how is luka not in shape yet? Even Harden is in shape by this point – 9:03 PM Rob Schaefer @rob_schaef
Nets coach Steve Nash said there won’t be any minutes restrictions on Kyrie Irving or James Harden against Bulls – 8:38 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Nets say Kyrie and Harden both available to play tonight vs. Bulls. Nic Claxton is out. Should be a loud atmosphere at the UC tonight like the good old days. – 7:24 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Kyrie Irving and James Harden, (both were listed as questionable) are a go for showdown with the Bulls. – 7:11 PM Anthony Puccio @APOOCH
The Nets are 11-3 when Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving play. They’re 1-0 this season.
Big test against the Bulls tonight. – 7:11 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Kyrie Irving and James Harden are available to play tonight, per Nets. Nic Claxton is out. – 7:10 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
James Harden (left knee hyperextension) and Kyrie Irving (left ankle sprain) are available for the #Nets, but Nic Claxton (left hamstring tightness) is out vs the #Bulls. – 7:09 PM Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Nets say James Harden and Kyrie Irving are playing against the Bulls. – 7:08 PM Ian Begley @IanBegley
Nets say both James Harden (knee) and Kyrie Irving (ankle) are available vs CHI tonight. – 7:08 PM Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
Nets’ Kyrie Irving and James Harden are both listed available to play vs. Bulls tonight. – 7:08 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Three hours before tipoff, Kyrie Irving is the first Net on the court getting his pregame work in. The zip up is his new look it seems. pic.twitter.com/iLobJXvYw5 – 7:01 PM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
Updated Kyrie Irving story with the NBA’s commitment to upholding city mandates, which would certainly be a hurdle despite low fines from NYC. Either way, the smartest argument is poking holes in the mandate.
https://t.co/PvmW10Gg49 pic.twitter.com/FW4YJQ0jIp – 3:00 PM James Boyd @RomeovilleKid
Here’s another gif of Kyrie Irving doing Kyrie Irving things when the #Pacers  hosted the #Nets in his season debut.
📸: by me | full gallery —> https://t.co/Nt7FNTaPvj pic.twitter.com/GmsyHBBJpn – 2:38 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
Approximately halfway through the 2021-22 season, list of NBA players averaging a minimum of 22.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 5.0 APG:
Kevin Durant
LeBron James
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Luka Doncic
Paul George
Brandon Ingram
James Harden – 1:59 PM Barbara Barker @meanbarb
So no word yet on whether Kyrie (ankle) and James Harden (knee) will play tonight against Chicago but Steve Nash days both participated fully in shoot. – 12:09 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
James Harden, Kyrie Irving and Nic Claxton all participated fully in shootaround. But #Nets still don’t have any clarity on whether they’ll play vs the #Bulls. – 11:55 AM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Steve Nash at shootaround had no updates on the playing status of Kyrie Irving, Nic Claxton and James Harden. That will be determined closer to tip-off. All practiced fully. How did they look? “Handsome,” Nash said. – 11:54 AM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Nash says Kyrie and Harden both went through shootaround this morning. Both are still questionable for Bulls game tonight. – 11:48 AM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
No update yet on Harden, Irving or Claxton. #nets – 11:48 AM KC Johnson @KCJHoop
The Bulls are 2-0 vs. the Nets. The Nets have played both games without Kyrie Irving, who said he’s playing through a sprained ankle tonight.
DeMar DeRozan likes that: “To be the best in this league, you gotta compete against the best.”
For @NBCSChicago: nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/… – 10:18 AM Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
🏀 HABERSHOW w/ @Amin Elhassan 🏀
Unpacking Chauncey’s “Kyrie’s Most Skilled PG Ever” speech; Our Top 5 point guards; Sad Russ; NBA Memory Lane and pulling a “Michael Adams.”
🍎: https://t.co/7hByVE7adO
: https://t.co/UhCXWEKlN2 pic.twitter.com/4saqGknWwy – 9:13 AM Stefan Bondy @SBondyNYDN
If Nets really want to, they can let unvaccinated Kyrie Irving play in Brooklyn – for a small fine nydailynews.com/sports/basketb… – 7:53 AM Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Kyrie Irving on Nassir Little dive: ‘No place in our game for it’, Little: I’d do it again nba.nbcsports.com/2022/01/11/kyr… – 9:16 PM

More on this storyline

Alex Schiffer: Nets’ status report for tomorrow night’s game at Chicago: Claxton (left hamstring tightness) – QUESTIONABLE Harden (left knee hyperextension) – QUESTIONABLE Irving (left ankle sprain) – QUESTIONABLE Aldridge (right foot soreness) – OUT Harris (left ankle surgery) – OUT -via Twitter @Alex__Schiffer / January 11, 2022