Nets' Kyrie Irving can practice in Brooklyn, still can't play in home games
As of Friday morning, Brooklyn Nets star guard Kyrie Irving was ineligible to practice or play inside of in-market venues because of the New York City mandate that requires NBA personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or show proof of an approved medical or religious exemption to enter such indoor places.
The situation changed during the afternoon, however, when NBA insider Shams Charania reported New York City has cleared Irving to practice thanks to what some would call a convenient loophole:
Critics understandably couldn't help but be cynical upon reading this update:
As Charania added, though, Irving still can't play in home games unless he follows the city's coronavirus-related guidelines:
In a story shared Friday morning, ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Bobby Marks noted the Nets "remain unclear on Irving's intentions for getting vaccinated" and haven't decided if they will accommodate him "as a part-time player this season" who, as of today, wouldn't be allowed to attend any home playoff contests.
Irving could have his salary reduced by approximately $380,000 per game for every home matchup he misses due to the NYC mandate, but the National Basketball Players Association could fight this if it's still an issue when Brooklyn welcomes the Charlotte Hornets to Barclays Center for its first home regular-season fixture on Oct. 24.
In short, Irving still can't represent the Nets in Brooklyn in front of fans, but Friday's development at least allows him to build some chemistry with teammates this month.
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