NYC mayor weighs in on possible Kyrie Irving vaccine exemption

Though New York City has begun to loosen its vaccine mandate, Kyrie Irving still will not be able to play for the Brooklyn Nets under the updated set of rules. While it may be tempting to give Irving a pass due to his importance to the Nets, New York mayor Eric Adams said that is simply not an option.

In an appearance on CNBC Monday, Adams said he wants to find a way for Irving to play, but making an exception for him would send the wrong message to city employees and others still subject to the mandate.

“Listen, I want Kyrie on the court. I would do anything to get that ring. So badly, I want it. But there’s so much at stake here,” Adams said, via Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report. “I spoke with the owner of the team. We want to find a way to get Kyrie on the court, but this is a bigger issue. I can’t have my city closed down again. It would send the wrong message just to have an exception for one player when we’re telling countless number of New York City employees ‘If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be able to be employed.’ That’s not the right thing to do.”

Irving does appear to be moving closer to being able to play in home games. While the updated restrictions will still apply to him, there is a possibility that the rules are relaxed even further prior to the start of the playoffs. If that happens, however, it clearly will not be done just for Irving.