Irving can practice in Brooklyn, can't play in home games

Kyrie Irving still can't represent the Nets in Brooklyn in front of fans. Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Nets' Kyrie Irving can practice in Brooklyn, still can't play in home games

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/8/21

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:

New York City has determined the Brooklyn Nets‘ practice facility, HSS Training Center, is a private office building – clearing Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving to practice at home, City Hall official tells @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 8, 2021

Critics understandably couldn't help but be cynical upon reading this update:

Also, this feels a whole lot like making things up just to help out a sports team which... is par for the course
— Jared Mueller (@JaredKMueller) October 8, 2021

As Charania added, though, Irving still can't play in home games unless he follows the city's coronavirus-related guidelines:

City Hall official says Irving is cleared to practice at home, but still not able to play in games at Barclays Center until the All-NBA guard fulfills vaccine requirement. https://t.co/OFy974t6iM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 8, 2021

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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