Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving. Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving attends Duke game at Barclays Center, still can't play home games for Nets

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 3/12/22

Kyrie Irving put a spotlight on the problems with New York City’s rules regarding vaccine mandates on Saturday night.

Irving has not been allowed to play in any Brooklyn Nets home games this season because he has not received a COVID-19 vaccine. However, he has been allowed to play in road games for the Nets, in cities where local health rules haven't prevented unvaccinated players from playing.

The rules in New York City lack consistency, however.

Visiting players are allowed to play games at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn even if they are unvaccinated against COVID-19. Spectators who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 are also allowed to attend games in the same building where Irving is not allowed to play.

That means on Saturday night that Kyrie Irving was able to attend the ACC Tournament final between his alma mater Duke and Virginia Tech, which was played at Barclays Center, but he won’t be allowed to play in the Nets’ game there on Sunday against the Knicks.

It wouldn't be too complicated if Kyrie Irving had just gotten the vaccine but you really can't make sense of a policy that allows him to sit in the stands to watch a college basketball game but prohibits him from playing a NBA game in the same building. pic.twitter.com/YwLmEokIKP

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 13, 2022

Kyrie Irving is allowed to sit courtside at Barclays Center for the Duke game tonight, but can’t play in the Nets game at Barclays Center tomorrow.

Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/FPwR6h0ibX

— Guru (@DrGuru_) March 13, 2022

Defending this rule is difficult, and most believe the policy should be changed at this point. If unvaccinated visiting players can play, and unvaccinated spectators can watch a game at Barclays Center, then an unvaccinated Nets player should be allowed to suit up as well.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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