Kyrie to miss Nets' next 3 games due to family matter

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving won't travel with the team on its upcoming three-game road trip due to a family matter, the Nets announced Monday.

Irving, 28, won't be available Tuesday against the Portland Trail Blazers, Wednesday versus the Utah Jazz, or Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

The enigmatic floor general missed seven games earlier this season and cited "a lot of family and personal stuff going on" when explaining the absence after his return.

Irving has been his typically dominant self when on the court this season, averaging 28.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.8 rebounds. The 2011 first overall pick has a chance to enter the revered 50/40/90 club with averages of 52% shooting from the field, 40.6% from 3-point range, and 89.1% from the free-throw line.

Irving's absence should pave the way for massive production from co-star James Harden. The nine-time All-Star has averaged 35.6 points, 10.6 assists, and eight rebounds in his last three games without Irving.

Brooklyn currently sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 29-14 record.