As of now, Kyrie Irving still can’t play in Brooklyn Nets’ home games due to New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate barring local team players from participating if they are not vaccinated.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver called out the current mandates last week, saying “This law in New York State, the oddity of it to me is that it only applies to home players.”
NYC mayor Eric Adams has made a statement on Wednesday about the mandate that could allow Irving to play in home games for the Nets very soon.
“Yes, and I can’t wait to get it done,” said Adams on potentially phasing out COVID vaccine mandates for indoor spaces in the city.
Adams added that he sees an announcement on the matter coming “in the next few weeks.”
"Yes, and I can't wait to get it done," @NYCMayor says when asked if he has a plan for phasing out COVID vaccine mandates for indoor spaces in the city, adds that he foresees an announcement on something related to this "in the next few weeks."
— Chris Sommerfeldt (@C_Sommerfeldt) February 23, 2022
This announcement can not come soon enough for the Nets. The team has won just two out of their last 14 games, with many of these losses coming at home without Irving.
The team has made a number of big moves lately, including bringing in veteran free agent Goran Dragic as well as moving star guard James Harden in the biggest trade of the NBA season.
If the Nets are able to get Irving back full-time, as well as newly acquired Ben Simmons, they will certainly be a contender in the Eastern Conference once superstar forward Kevin Durant returns from his sprained MCL.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.