The New Orleans Pelicans are set to face the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Saturday night. The Nets have been without star Kyrie Irving all season for home games as he is ineligible to play in New York City. As an unvaccinated player, he can't perform in venues like NBA arenas in New York. But there were just enough rumors this week to lead us to ask: is Kyrie Irving playing vs Pelicans?
Is Kyrie Irving playing vs Pelicans
After missing the first couple months of the season, Irving was originally reinstated with the Nets back in mid December. But as soon as he turned up to the facility, he tested positive for COVID. In fact, Kevin Durant and James Harden tested positive around the same time.
Once Irving cleared health and safety protocols, the seven-time All-Star had his debut of the season in a road win vs. the Indiana Pacers. Irving recorded 22 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals in his first game back.
“I've had a lot of debuts but nothing comes close to this one,” admitted an emotional Irving after the win. “It just meant a little bit more. Just because at this stage, you know taking off 8 months…. so I went in just an open mindset just to ground myself, be present, and do whatever it takes to win.”
The Duke product next played in the second of a back-to-back for the Nets in Portland where the team lost. Irving tweaked his ankle a little bit on this play by Blazers' forward Nassir Little, diving for a loose ball:
I would never hurt someone on purpose, I have the utmost respect for Kyrie! But y’all are delusional if you think this is a bad play, and id do it again. Idgaf what y’all talkin about https://t.co/kcChvvupG4
— Nassir Little (@2ez_nassie) January 11, 2022
But the injury wasn't enough to keep Kyrie out of the lineup in a big win vs. the Chicago Bulls last week. That was around the time Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News reported there might be a loophole where the Nets could let Irving play as a full-time player, while paying fines to the city of New York.
Should the Nets decide to let Kyrie Irving play at home, the team is subject to monetary fines of up to $5,000 for fifth and infinity more offenses, as stated on the Penalties for noncompliance with The Key to NYC, as outlined in Bill de Blasio’s executive order. pic.twitter.com/sNBSoNXu9y
— Nets Nation (@NetsNationCP) January 13, 2022
After that report came out, ESPN Insider, Adrian Wojnarowski added that there was “real optimism within the organization” that Irving might get to play full-time despite remaining unvaccinated.
Woj says there’s “real optimism within the organization” that Kyrie Irving will become a full-time player at some point this season. pic.twitter.com/xpAR42Bke6
— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) January 13, 2022
After the big win over the Bulls, James Harden even joked he would personally administer the vaccine for his teammate, if that's what it took to get Kyrie out there for home games.
Is James Harden still holding out hope that Kyrie Irving can play at Barclays Center?
"I'm gonna give him the shot" pic.twitter.com/1tupopQFpT
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) January 13, 2022
But then the scenario where Irving could return while the Nets paid fines got a crucial update.
Per Wojnarowski, the NBA states that “teams must follow local laws and players who don't comply won't be able to play.”
To be clear on the hypothetical ability for a team to pay a fine for an unvaccinated player to play in a marketplace that local ordinances forbid: NBA memo to organizations on September 1 says that teams must follow local laws and players who don't comply won't be able to play.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 13, 2022
So even though the situation is in many ways fluid, with updates changing by the day, the question is answered for now. Is Kyrie Irving playing vs. Pelicans? No. He is healthy, but still ineligible or Nets' home games.