Brooklyn Nets suspend Kyrie Irving without pay for at least 5 games

The Brooklyn Nets have suspended star guard Kyrie Irving without pay, the team announced Thursday, following a controversial tweet last week in which Irving appeared to support a documentary film that contains antisemitic ideas and several press conferences during which Irving refused to condemn antisemitism. The Nets said the suspension will last "no less" than five games.

In a statement, the organization said that it came to the decision after "repeated attempts to work with Kyrie Irving to help him understand the harm and danger of his words and actions, which began with him publicizing a film containing deeply disturbing antisemitic hate."

The team added that it was "dismayed" by a media session Thursday during which the 30-year-old Irving was asked by reporters directly if he held any antisemitic beliefs.