The Brooklyn Nets made a difficult decision at the beginning of the NBA season to only have fully eligible players participate in games. That meant that Kyrie Irving, who has not received his COVID-19 vaccine, would be ineligible for home games because of the New York City vaccine mandate.
It was a bit of an adjustment at first, but the Nets quickly got things on track. They are currently sitting in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 23-9. Kevin Durant has been playing at an MVP level all season and James Harden, after some early season adjustments, has gotten on track as well.
With positive COVID-19 tests ravaging the teams, the Brooklyn Nets made the controversial decision to bring Irving back into the fold as a part-time player. They caved, as management changed their tune from earlier in the season when the decision was made to hold Irving out.
It will be a decision they are constantly asked about, as Kyrie Irving is only allowed to practice with the team and play in road games. He cannot participate in games in Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, Toronto, or San Francisco for the time being until he gets vaccinated.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Nets Stars Headline Names Returning From COVID Protocol
Irving participated in his first practice with the team on Wednesday after he landed in the league’s health and safety protocols less than one day after starting the process to return to the team. He admitted that it was hard to watch from the sidelines but appreciates the opportunity to get back out there.
“Not going to lie,” Irving said. “It’s been relatively tough to watch from the sideline. … But if I get the opportunity to get on the court and play with some of my teammates, even if it’s just on the road for away games, I’m grateful for that opportunity.”
The Brooklyn Nets are taking a huge risk allowing Kyrie Irving to play as a part-time player. How will it impact their chemistry knowing he will miss a little more than half of the games? Will the distraction be something that gets to the Nets, as it was one of the things they wanted to avoid originally?
LATEST NBA NEWS: Nets Stars Headline Names Returning From COVID Protocol
As an unvaccinated player, Irving faces more strict protocols than his teammates that are vaccinated. He wasn’t prepared for the consequences of his decision originally to be unvaccinated but is grateful for the chance he is getting now.
“I knew the consequences,” Irving said of his vaccination decision. “I wasn’t prepared for them, by no stretch of imagination coming into the season. I had my thought process on being able to be a full-time teammate and go out and have fun and provide a great brand of basketball out there. But unfortunately, it didn’t happen like that. Things happen for a reason and now we’re here and I’m grateful for this.”
The Nets were heavily relying on Durant and Harden to carry the team thus far, playing them heavy minutes. Having Irving in the fold will allow Steve Nash to scale their minutes back a little bit, at least in road games.
LATEST NBA NEWS: Nets Stars Headline Names Returning From COVID Protocol
That should help keep them fresh for the stretch run when the Brooklyn Nets are expecting to make a run to the NBA Finals. That playoff path could present some major issues if they are matched up with teams from any of the aforementioned cities and Kyrie Irving is not allowed to play for the entirety of the series.
