Challenges Faced by Kyrie Irving: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Kyrie Irving faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he earned Rookie of the Year honors. Irving is a nine-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA Team selection, and an NBA champion, having won the title with the Cavaliers in 2016. Known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and scoring ability, Irving is considered one of the most skilled offensive players in the NBA.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 14, 2012: Broken Hand Injury

On July 14, 2012, Kyrie Irving broke his right hand during a Cavaliers practice at the NBA Summer League and required surgery.

2012: Injured Index Finger

At the start of the 2012-2013 NBA season, Kyrie Irving injured his index finger in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, causing him to miss three weeks of action.

2014: Cavaliers' Performance

The Cleveland Cavaliers finished 2014 with an 18-14 record, facing inconsistency and mediocre play due to the new "Big Three" missing time during December.

August 27, 2015: Ruled Out for Season Opening

On August 27, 2015, Kyrie Irving was ruled unlikely to be ready for opening night of the 2015–16 season due to the left kneecap fracture he suffered in Game 1 of the 2015 NBA Finals.

2015: Irving's Performance

In 2015, Kyrie Irving helped the Cavaliers snap a three-game losing streak in January. Later, he experienced a season low with just six points due to lower back tightness.

2015: Screws inserted in patella

In 2015, screws were inserted in Kyrie Irving's patella to repair a fracture he suffered during that year's NBA Finals.

January 23, 2017: Scored 35 points in loss to New Orleans Pelicans

On January 23, 2017, Kyrie Irving scored 35 of his season-high 49 points in the second half of the Cavaliers' narrow 124–122 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. This was their fifth loss in seven games.

2017: Trade Request to Celtics

In 2017, after another Finals appearance, Kyrie Irving requested a trade from the Cavaliers and was subsequently dealt to the Boston Celtics.

January 21, 2018: Scored 40 points in loss to Orlando Magic

On January 21, 2018, Kyrie Irving scored 40 points in a 103–95 loss to the Orlando Magic. This loss marked the Celtics' season-worst third straight defeat.

October 12, 2021: Ineligible to play or practice with the Nets

On October 12, 2021, Sean Marks, the Nets' general manager, announced that Kyrie Irving would be ineligible to play or practice with the team due to the New York City COVID-19 vaccine mandate until he was vaccinated.

October 2021: Speculation over Irving's exclusion from NBA 75th Anniversary Team

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and his hesitancy to receive a vaccine, in October 2021 it was speculated that Kyrie Irving was excluded from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team list.

2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Controversy

In 2021, Kyrie Irving's decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the 2021–2022 NBA season.

February 2022: Mayor announced the vaccine requirement for indoor activities

In February 2022, New York City mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would be lifting its vaccine requirement for indoor activities on March 7. However, Irving remained subject to a different workplace vaccine mandate that remained in place.

September 15, 2022: Irving shares Alex Jones video on Instagram

On September 15, 2022, Kyrie Irving shared a video on his Instagram story featuring a rant by InfoWars creator and far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

October 27, 2022: Irving tweets link to anti-semitic film

On October 27, 2022, Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to an Amazon listing page for Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, a 2018 film promoting Black Hebrew Israelite ideology containing antisemitic disinformation.

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November 3, 2022: Irving suspended by Nets for antisemitic beliefs

On November 3, 2022, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five NBA games due to his failure to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs" and stated that he is "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."