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Irving sits vs. 76ers with shoulder injury

Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Boston Celtics were without their newly named All-Star starter Thursday.

Kyrie Irving didn't play against the Philadelphia 76ers because he's experiencing shoulder soreness, the team announced.

Head coach Brad Stevens said the injury doesn't strike him as a long-term issue, according to ESPN's Jeff Goodman, after an MRI revealed no structural damage. Irving had been dealing with shoulder pain and re-aggravated a previous injury in Tuesday's overtime loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

Irving confirmed it's not severe and aims to return Sunday against the Orlando Magic.

"It's nothing too crazy," he told celtics.com. "It was just giving me a little discomfort over the last few weeks, but I've just been playing through it and doing what's best in terms of preparing best for every single game. I thought it was just best to get a few tests and make sure everything is OK."

In his first season with the Celtics, the elite point guard is averaging 24.1 points, five assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 steals. It will be the third game for Boston sans Irving, who's led the team to the No. 1 spot in the Eastern Conference. The club fell to 1-2 in his absence with a 89-80 loss to the Sixers.

Terry Rozier is expected to get more minutes in his stead.

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