Nets HC Steve Nash expects PG Kyrie Irving to play 'big chunk' of season debut

Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash didn't want to give too much information regarding how much Kyrie Irving will play in his season debut on Wednesday. He did say, however, that the seven-time All-Star guard will play a significant amount against the Indianapolis Pacers.

"I don't think it's where he can play 38 (minutes)," Nash said Wednesday, via ESPN. "But I think he can play a big chunk of the game. He's played a lot -- he's had three or four full court days with the 5-on-5, so I think he's capable of playing extended minutes, but not necessarily his customary high 30s."

Irving missed the first 35 games of the NBA regular season because he has refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and therefore cannot play in home games at Barclays Center because of state vaccine stipulations.

The Nets originally denied Irving playing part-time but amended that decision in December to allow him to participate in road games after a COVID outbreak decimated Brooklyn's roster.

"We ended up having 13 players who had COVID. We were going around signing a bunch of 10-days when we have a guy who can play for us, so what's the difference between a 10-day and a guy -- those are part-time players too," Nash said.

Irving's debut had been postponed because he himself tested positive for COVID-19 in December and had to enter the league's health and safety protocol. 

Fans across the league still have mixed reactions to the Nets changing their minds about allowing an unvaccinated athlete to play part-time. There is a strong contingent of Brooklyn fans, however, who are very happy they will see Irving play basketball in real time again.