Kyrie Irving was cleared to return to basketball activities Saturday, but the Brooklyn Nets still don't know when he will play his next game.

"Hopefully, we're close. I can’t really give you a firm update on that. We have to assess that as we go," head coach Steve Nash said Saturday, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. "We do want to make sure he ramps accordingly so that he’s not susceptible to unnecessary injury and protect him the best we can. But hopefully, it will be a short period of time. That is to be determined, though."

Irving hasn't played since Jan. 5 and was away from the team for personal reasons. He returned and went through a five-day mandatory quarantine, giving him the opportunity to play when the team determines he is ready.

The Nets succeeded without him Saturday as James Harden tallied a triple-double in his debut with the team. Brooklyn earned a 112-115 win over the Orlando Magic.

The Nets are 4-2 overall since Irving last played.

With Harden and Kevin Durant each capable of taking over games, Brooklyn can stay patient with Irving as he works his way back to full strength.

"He’s getting his work in individually and maybe (Sunday) he can do some things with the Stay Ready group," Nash said. "We just want to make sure he has a few days in his legs before he gets thrown back in the fire."

Irving only played 20 games last season and has missed at least 10 games in all but one of his first nine years in the NBA, so injuries remain a concern for the point guard.

There are still high expectations for the 28-year-old, who has six All-Star selections in his career.

He has averaged 27.1 points, 6.1 assists and 5.3 rebounds through seven appearances in 2020-21 and could be a key part for the Nets going forward as they try to reach their lofty expectations.