Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving can enter Barclays Center as a fan, but he cannot play in games. Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving sitting courtside at Nets' home game vs. Knicks

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 3/13/22

New York City’s rules regarding vaccine mandates are ridiculous, and Kyrie Irving’s presence at Sunday’s game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets was further proof of that.

Irving has not been allowed to play in any Nets home games this season because he has not received a COVID-19 vaccine. Even though New York City recently lifted its vaccine mandate, Irving is still not allowed to play because Barclays Center falls under the private sector vaccine mandate that took effect in December. Irving can’t play, but he is welcome inside the arena.

Irving attended Saturday night’s ACC Tournament game between his alma mater Duke and Virginia at Barclays Center. He was shown sitting courtside. He then sat courtside again for Sunday’s Knicks-Nets game.

Kyrie Irving sitting courtside for the Nets-Knicks game, in a game he can't play in because of NYC private sector Vaxx mandate pic.twitter.com/9vgG1rEBq2

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) March 13, 2022

In addition to attending Sunday’s game as a fan, Irving was also able to join his coaches and teammates in the locker room at halftime.

Kyrie Irving is joining his Nets teammates and coaches in the locker room at halftime, sources say.

Irving is able to move freely inside Barclays Center as a spectator — a special one, at that — but is not able to play. https://t.co/B6968bSZa7

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 13, 2022