Kyrie Irving - Brooklyn Nets need to face reality but not push 'panic button' after 7-game skid

SALT LAKE CITY — Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving doesn't want his team getting too down on itself despite the fact it has now dropped a season-high seven straight games after an embarrassing 125-102 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night.

As the losses pile up, skepticism around the league grows about whether the Nets can reach the championship potential many thought they could achieve before the season began — but Irving wants his beleaguered group to focus on what's still ahead.

«It's really just where we are, facing reality, that we're not winning ballgames right now,» Irving said after the game. «And we got to kind of get out of that hole with just one win and then start a new streak from that point. But no time to feel like our season is in doomsday or we need to push the panic button at all points, but we have to face reality that a lot of guys, a lot of my teammates, we're still getting to know one another, how we play, what's our spots, offensive and defensive tendencies.

»And then communication. Knowing that we can get on guys and guys love to be coached. And it's not just from the head coach or the assistants but really just from us as teammates. Trusting that we have the experience to win basketball games."

The Nets have dealt with a variety of issues throughout the season — and continue to deal with injuries as Kevin Durant (sprained MCL), Joe Harris (ankle surgery) and LaMarcus Aldridge (sprained ankle) remain out for the foreseeable future. All-Star James Harden was scratched from the Friday game with a recurring hamstring issue and Irving remains a part-time player this year because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and cannot play in home games because of the New York City vaccination mandate.

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