Kyrie Irving on Nets adjusting to his suspension, injured Kevin Durant, firing coach Steve Nash

Feb 1, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, United States; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) guards Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the first quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic

The Suns host the Nets (27-16) on Thursday night, their first matchup this season before they face each other again in Brooklyn on Feb. 7.

Kyrie Irving said during the Nets’ Thursday morning shootaround he’ll play against the Suns after he sat out from right calf soreness during the Nets’ loss at San Antonio on Tuesday.

Irving and Ben Simmons will be the only multi-year All-Stars playing between both teams on Thursday as Suns’ guard Devin Booker (groin), Chris Paul (hip), and Kevin Durant (isolate MCL sprain), who will miss his fourth consecutive game, all are sidelined with injuries. Similar to the Suns (21-24), the Nets are shorthanded from many injuries.

The Republic was there when Irving spoke Thursday during pregame availabilty. Irving discussed the Nets’ recent struggles after losing Durant following their 12-game win streak, the team’s chemistry after the firing of head coach and Suns legend Steve Nash on Nov. 1 and Irving’s team-imposed suspension that same month.

Here are some highlights:

Additional reason Irving sat out Nets’ Tuesday loss to Spurs: “Taking care of my body for the long-term. That’s all.”

How Nets can return to winning ways after losing three straight games, three of their last five: “Just settle in control what you can control.”

How Nets should improve and adjust their shot selection without Kevin Durant: “Just gotta play smarter. That’s it. Our room for error is not as big when K’s not in.”

What’s meant by ‘play smarter’: “Just attention to detail and having a toughness out there. Just an awareness that every team is gonna see that we’re shorthanded and feel like they can take advantage of us for that night. Us as competitors, we just gotta do everything possible to prepare for that and it’s gonna be a fight.”

The difficulty of increased responsibilities amid rise in injuries: “It’s tough for anybody, especially when your team is set up a certain type of way, the pieces aren’t in. So it’s a figure-it-out process. The key is not to lose your head or lose your emotions. Just stay poised throughout this. It’s inevitable that injuries happen at times. Obviously, it’s not ideal but control what we can control.”

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On Nets assistant coach, former Suns head coach Igor Kokoskov preparing them for several of his ex-players in Phoenix: “Yeah, all our coaches are helpful to help us prepare. So Igor definitely helps us.”

On Nets’ chemistry after his suspension stemming from him retweeting about an antisemitic film, the team firing coach Steve Nash, Durant asking for a trade last summer: “We’ve been dialed in since training camp, and dealing with what we’ve already dealt with this season. So we’re a great group. We’re cohesive and we just gotta put one foot in front of the other, game to game, that’s all.”

Comparing both Suns and Nets being shorthanded, and adjustments they have to make facing each other: “Just gotta have fun, not put too much pressure on yourself, and the wins and losses are gonna come and go. But big picture thinking is what gets your through, so that’s what’s helping me and just not trying to do it alone or feel like it’s a solo act. It’s a great team, it’s a team sport and you gotta do everything to galvanize your teammates. I could be as great as I need to be, but if my teammates aren’t there, then it won’t really matter. My focus is just really on keeping the group together and making sure I’m doing a great job leading.”

Irving’s communication with Durant while he’s been sidelined: “He’s just relaxing, man, as he should be.”

If Durant is still in good spirits while being injured: “Yeah, you got his number? You guys should tweet him. Maybe he’ll tweet you back.”

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Kyrie Irving on Nets adjusting to his suspension, injured Kevin Durant, firing coach Steve Nash