Latest Update on Kyrie Irving's Shoulder Injury Sounds Bad for the Nets

Anybody else having trouble recalling the last time Kyrie Irving suited up in a Brooklyn Nets jersey? It truly feels like an eternity ago.

The franchise's heralded offseason acquisition has been shelved for the last 18 games with a shoulder injury, and a return to the hardwood appears anything but imminent.

Per several reports, Irving could remain out of commission for another two or three weeks, a timetable that would keep him out of the lineup until mid-to-late January.

In fact, the Nets have now come up with a new behind the scenes diagnosis for the lingering injury, reportedly tabbing it as "thoracic bursitis."

The severity of that interpretation remains to be seen, but Brooklyn has continued to impress with their All-Star point guard sidelined, compiling a 12-6 record since he went down.

At the heart of that perseverance has been Spencer Dinwiddie, who has been nothing short of spectacular running the point for head coach Kenny Atkinson.

For the season, Dinwiddie is averaging 22.7 points and 6.2 assists while shooting 43.5% from the floor in 30.6 minutes of game time.

The 26-year-old breakout star will continue running the show in Kyrie's absence -- a routine that Nets fans are probably starting to adjust to at this point given the sheer mystery of Irving's injury.