Kyrie Irving excused from Nets-Wizards, one day after trade request

NEW YORK (AP)— Kyrie Irving sat out the Brooklyn Nets’ come-from-behind win overWashington on Saturday night,a day after he told the team hewould like to be traded.

The Nets saidIrving’s absence was due to right calf soreness, adding him to theinjury report for their game against Washington. Irving had notbeen listed on the report Friday night or Saturday morning.

Brooklyncoach Jacque Vaughn said after the Nets’ 125-123 win that Irvingdid not attend the game and that the player’s absence wasexcused.

“We were allin agreement on him not being here tonight,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn saidbefore the game that he was unsure if Irving would be at BarclaysCenter. He did say Irving “was not at the walkthrough.”

He wouldn’tspeculate if Irving would be available for the Nets’ two remaininggames before the trade deadline Thursday afternoon.

“I’m justgoing to be concerned about (the Wizards),” Vaughn said. “I’m notgoing to complicate this thing at all.”

Irving askedthe Nets for a trade Friday, a person with knowledge of the detailstold The Associated Press. The All-Star has been frustrated thatthe Nets have thus far refused to give him an extension on hiscontact that expires after this season.

Vaughn saidhe spoke with Irving and the rest of the team Friday, prior to thestar guard’s trade request becoming public. However, it was not atopic of conversation between the coach and his team.

“Ourconversations were more than basketball,” said Vaughn. “Life,checking in on them. I never want to speculate how a player feels.Their feelings are their feelings. And I’ll always validate that.... So I won’t speculate.”

Kevin Durantis still sidelined because of a sprained knee ligament, and BenSimmons and T.J. Warren will each also miss their fourth straightgame with left knee soreness and a left shin contusion,respectively. Simmons was downgraded after previously being listedas questionable. Warren was initially listed as doubtful, whichchanged to out about an hour before gametime.

“Just tryingto get to a level — T.J. and Ben — where they’re comfortablegetting back on the court and playing,” Vaughn said.

When asked ifhe had received a timetable when to expect Simmons to be able toplay, Vaughn said, “I think we’re inching toward that way. It’sreally day to day. He’ll get back on the court tomorrow. Hopefullyhe feels a comfort level and responds to the work tomorrow to gethim close to playing these next two games.”