All-Star guard Kyrie Irving returns to Nets after two-week hiatus

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Six-time All-Star guard Kyrie Irving rejoined the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday after a two-week absence from the team.

"I'm back, I'm happy to be back," Irving told reporters. "And we got some great pieces and we just move on and I let my actions and my game speak for itself like I planned on doing. Just needed a pause."

Irving, who practiced with the team Tuesday, has missed the Nets' last seven games, having last played against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 5. He attributed the time away to "family and personal stuff," and said that he appreciated the support from the organization.

"It's been great. It's been enough support for me to feel like they have my back and, you know, that's all I can ask for not only supporting me but my family," Irving said. "I'm a hometown kid, so you know things hit a little different when family and personal stuff going on and that's up to me to handle that as a man.

"But yeah, I just take full accountability for my actions with the guys and just had a conversation with each one of them and we move on."

During his time away, the NBA fined Irving $50,000 for violating the league's health and safety protocols. He also lost more than $800,000 in salary for the two games he missed while in quarantine.

Nets head coach Steve Nash said he "expects" Irving will play on Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Irving has averaged 27.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds in seven games this season.