Nets' Kyrie Irving placed in COVID protocols a day after announcement of return

The Brooklyn Nets announced Friday that star point guard Kyrie Irving would return to the team, despite his steadfast refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19. A day later, Irving was placed in the NBA's COVID protocols, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojranowski.

Irving, 29, will be eligible to return to practice with the Nets no sooner than Dec. 23 as he'll first need five consecutive days of negative tests. When he does return, Irving is only eligible to play road games as he's non-compliant with New York's mandate for vaccines.

"After discussions with our coaches, players and staff, the organization has decided to have Kyrie Irving re-join the team for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate," Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement Friday. "We have arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols."

The Nets were a preseason championship favorite and are 21-8 so far in the 2021-22 season. Brooklyn has a three-game lead for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Brooklyn placed seven players -- including James Harden and LaMarcus Aldridege -- in the health and safety protocols Tuesday. Kevin Durant was placed in the protocols Saturday morning.