Kyrie Irving Barred From All Nets Play Over COVID Vaccine

NEW YORK CITY — Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving will not be allowed to play so long as he's unvaccinated against COVID-19, the team announced Tuesday.

"Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice until he is eligible to be a full participant," Sean Marks, the team's general manager, said in a statement. "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."

The decision followed a weeks-long standoff between Irving and the team's management over his apparent refusal to get a coronavirus vaccine.

Under the city's indoor vaccination mandate and NBA rules, the unvaccinated Irving would not be able to play at Barclays Center or practice with the team.

The Nets were widely considered to be a championship contender this season, but Irving's status puts that in doubt. He stood to make $35 million, but NBA vaccination rules prohibit him from being paid for games he misses because of local mandates, officials said.

The drama over Irving's vaccination status drew national attention, and prompted a plea from Mayor Bill de Blasio — who set the local mandate — for the superstar to get vaccinated.

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