Nets' Kyrie Irving Won't Play vs. Wizards with Calf Injury amid Trade Rumors

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving was ruled out for Saturday's game against the Washington Wizards because of right calf soreness, according to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes.

Irving on Friday requested a trade from the Nets, per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Irving played a team-high 31 minutes in Wednesday's blowout loss to the Boston Celtics, scoring 20 points. He wasn't listed on Friday's injury report.

Since returning from a suspension Nov. 20 for promoting an antisemitic film on social media and then refusing to apologize and condemn antisemitism, Irving has stayed mostly healthy. He sat out Dec. 10 against the Indiana Pacers with left adductor tightness and missed a Dec. 21 contest versus the Golden State Warriors with tightness in his right calf. He also missed a Jan. 17 game at the San Antonio Spurs because of his calf.

Irving has remained an impact player on the court, averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. He was named a starter for the upcoming All-Star Game, his eighth career selection.

With Kevin Durant still unavailable because of a sprained right MCL, the Nets could be limited offensively. Ben Simmons (left knee soreness) will also miss Saturday's contest.