10 Notable NBA players not participating in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

#5 Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Kyrie Irving injured his right ankle during the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2021 NBA playoffs and now he cannot participate in the Olympics. He landed on top of Giannis Antetokounmpo's foot and was grimacing in pain on the floor. Irving was escorted to the locker room and he was sidelined for the remainder of the playoffs. Irving is another former Olympian who is missing the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to injury.

Kyrie Irving twists the ankle of his after landing on Giannis's foot and comes out the game into the locker room. 🙏 #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/BIgPGqjARv

— ZachTheMan (@Blazing_Shadow_) June 13, 2021

Kyrie Irving won the gold medal representing the USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

#6 Chris Paul

Chris Paul representing USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Chris Paul declined the invitation to play for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as he is currently in the middle of the 2021 NBA Finals. His team, the Phoenix Suns, were having a terrific playoff run and Paul decided to dedicate his energy towards getting his franchise a championship. Paul finished fifth in MVP voting this season and was in fact a finalist for Team USA this summer but declined later on.

Chris Paul has declined an invitation to play for Team USA in the Summer Olympics, league sources told @wojespn. pic.twitter.com/XaudYQDmfb

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 22, 2021

#7 James Harden

James Harden (#13) representing USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

James Harden suffered a hamstring injury during the 2021 NBA playoffs. He returned for three games but was largely ineffective during those matches. Harden was injured for arguably the longest stretch of his career during the regular season. He won the gold medal representing the USA at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.