MILWAUKEE, WI - MAY 8: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)Gary Dineen/Getty Images

Nets' Kyrie Irving to Play vs. LeBron James' Lakers in China Following Injury

Tyler ConwayOct 5, 2019

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving will play in the team's pair of exhibition games against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in China next week after recovering from a facial fracture.

ESPN's Malika Andrews provided the update Friday from Brooklyn head coach Kenny Atkinson.

Irving, 27, suffered the injury in a September pickup game.

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In his first season with the Nets, Irving signed a max contract alongside an injured Kevin Durant in one of the summer's biggest coups.

The 2019-20 season essentially amounts to a holding pattern year with Durant out rehabbing a torn Achilles, but it is also serving as a rehab year for Irving's reputation after his sour ending in Boston.

Spencer Dinwiddie will get extended minutes with the starters if the Nets decide to rest Irving at all during the preseason. The star point guard appears on track to be a full-go for the regular season.