The mayor appeared as a guest on Squawk on the Street, and said that despite mandates being lifted, he's not going to make an exception for Irving to play home games.
"I want Kyrie on the court. I would do anything to get that ring. So badly I want it. But there's so much at stake here. I grew up with the owner of the team -- we want to find a way to get Kyrie on the court, but this is a big issue. I can't have my city close down again. It would send a wrong message just to have an exception for one player when we're telling a countless number of New York City employees if you don't follow the rules, you won't be able to be employed," he said.
Mayor Adams said last week that he "can't wait" to phase out indoor mandates. He also reiterated commissioner Adam Silver's comments about the oddity that Irving can't play in his own arena, but unvaccinated players from non-New York teams can.
"It makes no sense," he said. "And I don't know who thought of such a ridiculous rule in place of away teams can come and play when our teams from New York. But these are the rules, and I have to follow the rules. If I don't, I'm going to open the door that is sending a wrong message to everyday employees.
"Businesses have their vaccine mandates. city employees have their vaccine mandates. I have to follow the rules -- and trust me, I want Kyrie on the court. We are here right now opening our city because of vaccine mandates. We can't close down again. I can't have my city close down again."
The NBA play-in tournament will start on April 12, with the playoffs beginning four days later. At the moment, Irving is available for just seven of the Nets' 21 remaining games. He also cannot play in Toronto or at Madison Square Garden.
