Nets fined $50,000 for allowing unvaccinated Kyrie Irving in locker room

The Brooklyn Nets improved to 35-33 on the season via Sunday's 110-107 home win over the New York Knicks that featured All-Star guard Kyrie Irving sitting courtside as a spectator because he's unable to play due to New York City policies regarding workers not vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Brooklyn received an expensive lesson Monday on just how much Irving can be warmly embraced by the club as it pertains to home games. 

"The Brooklyn Nets organization has been fined $50,000 for violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols during the team’s March 13th game against the New York Knicks at Barclays Center, the NBA announced today," reads a statement shared on the Association's website. "The violation occurred when the Nets permitted Kyrie Irving, who was in attendance at the game, to enter the team’s locker room."

As The Associated Press (h/t ESPN) explains, Irving may enter Barclays Center but not a "workplace environment" in New York such as the Nets' locker room.

Following Sunday's victory, Nets superstar Kevin Durant campaigned to New York City Mayor Eric Adams to "figure out" what he called "ridiculous" health and safety protocols that permit Irving to attend but not participate in home matchups. Durant again addressed the topic in a statement released by the Nets and shared by media outlets on Monday. 

"The last two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with the changing landscape of the rules and mandates," Durant said. "I do appreciate the task the Mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through. My frustration with the situation doesn't change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities I live in and play in."

Per Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing, ESPN personality Michael Wilbon heavily criticized Durant for his original comments directed at Mayor Adams during a Monday morning on-air segment.