Kyrie Irving is nearing completion on the process needed for a return to play and could rejoin the Brooklyn Nets as soon as Sunday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Irving will miss his eighth straight game on Thursday at the Portland Trail Blazers, but he's closing in on the end of his suspension.

"Kyrie is continuing his journey of dialogue and education," National Basketball Players Association executive director Tamika Tremaglio told ESPN on Wednesday night. "He has been grappling with the full weight of the impact of his voice and actions, particularly in the Jewish community. Kyrie rejects antisemitism in any form, and he's dedicated to bettering himself and increasing his level of understanding. He plans to continue this journey well into the future to ensure that his words and actions align with his pursuit of truth and knowledge."

At the time of his suspension, the Nets issued a statement saying "failure to disavow antisemitism when given a clear opportunity to do so is deeply disturbing, is against the values of our organization, and constitutes conduct detrimental to the team."

In a memo to members of the NBPA on Friday, the union told NBA players that, "Kyrie's rights, and the rights of all future players, have been protected at every turn," and added that the union "look(s) forward very soon to a resolution of all matters satisfactory to all parties."

Brooklyn is 4-3 without Irving during his suspension.