NEW YORK (AP) – Kyrie Irving, a recently suspended Brooklyn Nets guard, met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Tuesday, a person familiar with the meeting said.
The Nets suspended Irving for at least five unpaid games Thursday after he refused to espouse anti-Semitic beliefs.
The punishment came just hours after Silver alleged that Irving had made a “careless decision” by posting a link to a film containing anti-Semitic material on his Twitter account.
Silver then said he would meet with Irving the following week.
The meeting took place on Tuesday, the person, who requested anonymity, told The Associated Press because the conversation and its details were private.
Irving eventually deleted the tweet and apologized on Instagram for not doing so Thursday earlier by speaking to reporters.
By then, Silver had already shown his disappointment that it took the player so long to apologize and condemn as anti-Semites some of the content of the documentary in question, entitled “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”.
Even after meeting Silver, Irving would have to work to mend his relationship with the Nets.
Team executives were already upset by his persistent refusal to vaccinate against COVID-19, which prevented him from playing at home for much of last season. In fact, in the summer, they refused to extend his contract.
This time around he will have to comply with a series of measures that the club deems necessary for his return to matches.
Irving will miss his fourth game on Wednesday against the New York Knicks. The Nets will then begin a four-visit tour of the west coast.
