The Brooklyn Nets have gotten by thus far without Kyrie Irving, entering the weekend atop their conference in the NBA standings. But if Kevin Durant or James Harden were hoping the All-Star point guard returns in the near future, that won’t be happening.
Irving, who is unvaccinated, hasn’t played in a single game this season. New York City’s COVID-19 laws restrict an unvaccinated person from being a part of large indoor gatherings. The Barclays Center, home of the Nets, falls under that mandate.
Initially, there was hope that the Nets might allow Irving to play road games. But the team announced in October that its star point guard couldn’t participate in practice or games until he met NYC’s vaccination mandate. With Irving refusing to get the vaccine, he remains sidelined.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, The Athletic’s Shams Charana said Irving still isn’t vaccinated and he will not play another NBA game until he’s traded.
“Kyrie Irving is not anywhere closer to getting the vaccine…At the end of the day, he’s not gonna play basketball unless he gets traded. Because unless the Nets come up someday and say, ‘fine, we’re gonna let you play road games, we’re gonna let you practice at home, we’re changing our stance. We’re gonna now let you come back.’ Or unless Kyrie Irving goes and decides to get the shot, there’s not really an end in sight here.”
NBA insider Shams Charania with latest on Kyrie Irving
Eric Adams becomes New York City’s mayor on Jan. 1, which at least created the possibility that the mandate might be lifted. But the Omicron variant of the coronavirus and rising numbers of positive cases in the region likely rule out the vaccine mandate being eliminated during the winter.
- Kyrie Irving contract: $35.328 million cap charge (2021-’22), $36.5 million player option (2022-’23)
As a result, Irving must remain at home and away from one of the best teams in the NBA. Eligible to become a free agent this summer, it’s very possible Irving played his last game for the Nets.