Nets attacking rim less without Kyrie Irving

Because the streaking Nets were facing the NBA-best Golden State in a nationally televised game Tuesday night at Barclays Center, Nets coach Steve Nash was asked to evaluate his team’s early-season progress. Inevitably, that opened the door to more discussion of the impact of Kyrie Irving’s absence because of his decision not to comply with the New York City vaccine mandate.

"I think we’ve made great strides, considering we had a group a week or two in training camp that is no longer the group," Nash said, referring to the fact that Irving went through two weeks of camp. "We went from being a historically great offensive team to a team that struggles to score. I’ve been really proud of the way our guys have adapted to that challenge and tried to find an identity."

One major difference from last season is that the Nets’ ability to score at the rim has dropped off dramatically without Irving and his ability to drive to the basket to score or create for others. Nash acknowledged as much.

"We can’t just walk down the court and space the floor and go because it’s just not the same [as] the gravity that Kyrie would bring, not to mention his talent," Nash said. "We have to find different ways to do that, so I think it’s through our willingness to share, to trust, to move it, play early and get to our second and third action without hesitation."

Asked how Irving is occupying himself while he is not allowed to play or practice until he is fully eligible, Nash said, "I stay in touch with Kyrie, but we don’t really talk about basketball. Just stay in touch and make sure everything is good with him."

Injury updates

Guard Joe Harris (sprained left ankle) is expected to miss several games and then get X-rays to determine a return timeline . . . Forward Paul Millsap missed his second game for personal reasons, but Nash had no update on his return.

By Greg Logan

Gregory.Logan@newsday.comGregLogan1

Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.