Nets won't allow Kyrie Irving to practice or play this season unless he fulfills NYC vaccination requirements

The point guard is not vaccinated, which prohibits him from playing in New York City

10/12/2021, 3:03 PM
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The Nets are not allowing Kyrie Irving to play or practice with the team until he's eligible to be a full participant. 

Here's the full statement from GM Sean Marks:

"Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant. Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability. 

"It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice. Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud.”

Head coach Steve Nash said Sunday that he had to plan for Irving missing home games due to New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate. 

Irving has been confirmed to not be vaccinated and wasn't allowed at the team's practice facility until it was deemed a private office. 

"I think we recognize he’s not playing home games (at the moment)," Nash said Sunday. "So we’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much."

Under local ordinance, Knicks and Nets players are required to have at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to participate in home games. 

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