KYRIE IRVING OPENS UP ABOUT KEHLANI SITUATION

Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving has been in the news recently for his personal life and relationship with R&B singer Kehlani instead of his basketball abilities.

Nate Scott of USA Today’s For The Win broke down the entire situation in detail Monday, explaining that Kehlani used to date rapper PartyNextDoor before being linked to Irving. PartyNextDoor then posted a photo on Instagram implying he was back together with Kehlani.

Irving responded to the situation in a series of tweets Wednesday evening that have since been deleted (via Sports Illustrated):

“It’s been hard to see what’s been going on and not address the truth. I do not justify the picture or what dude did to try and spark all of this non sense that could have been avoided, but me and Kehlani were not dating when the picture came out. It’s unfortunate that it’s received so much attention but its become bigger because of a post that was misunderstood. Nothing but love and compassion over this way for her and her family. My only focus the Game I love to play every night.”

Scott noted PartyNextDoor’s Instagram photo that set off a social media reaction had a caption that read, “After all her shenanigans, still got the R&B singer back in my bed.”

This came after Kehlani posted a picture of herself and Irving together on Instagram and left a long Valentine’s Day message that seemed to confirm she was dating the Cavaliers star.

Scott also said, “Late Monday night Kehlani posted a photo to her Instagram, which has since been deleted, with a caption that implied she had tried to take her own life.”

After expressing positive sentiments toward her and her family, Irving said his focus is on basketball. With the playoffs set to begin April 16, the Cavs will need him playing at a high level if they are going to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

He is a three-time All-Star and a former Rookie of the Year who helps carry the Cleveland offense alongside LeBron James and Kevin Love. Irving is averaging 19.7 points and 4.6 assists per game this season, but this would mark the first time since his rookie campaign in 2011-12 he failed to post 20 points per night if those numbers continue.

Still, Cleveland boasts the best record in the Eastern Conference at 52-22 and could be well on its way to a second straight NBA Finals appearance. It lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games last season, but it was short-handed because Love was injured and Irving only played in Game 1 with an injury of his own.

That left James carrying much of the load against the dominant Warriors.

If the Cavaliers hope to reach the Finals and win this time around, they need Irving healthy and on the floor making impressive plays with his ball-handling skills and three-point shooting. It appears that is where his focus is heading into the season’s stretch run.