Kirilenko Aiming for a Christmas Return

Photo via Andrei Kirilenko, Instagram

Brooklyn Nets forward Andrei Kirilenko, who missed his 20th game of the season Monday night against the Philadelphia 76ers due to back spasms, is getting closer and closer to returning. The former All-Star is planning to return to the team’s rotation right around Christmas, during the Nets three-game home stand.

"I'm planning [on playing], but we don't know how it's going to go”, Kirilenko told ESPN New York’s Mike Mazzeo, “but I'd like to play [in one of those home games around Christmas].”

The Nets play the Indiana Pacers on December 23 (Monday), the Chicago Bulls on Christmas Day, and the Milwaukee Bucks on December 27 (Friday), before embarking on a three-game road trip beginning in Indiana on December 28 (Saturday).

Despite the optimism, Kirilenko cannot give an exact date for his return.

Follow @NetsTakeOver