With the start of the 2021-22 NBA season now less than a month away, Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has held firm on his decision to not receive the COVID-19 vaccine, making him ineligible to play home games at Barclays Center due to New York City's vaccine mandate.
At the Nets' Media Day, when asked if Irving's potential lack of availability concerned him, teammate Kevin Durant was his usual straightforward self with reporters.
“No,” Durant said bluntly.
The Nets main main eventually elaborated when pressed.
“That’s on Kyrie. It’s his personal decision. What he does is not on us to speculate what may happen. But we trust in Kyrie and I expect us to have our full team at some point.”
“I don’t expect it to be [a problem]. That's his personal decision, what he does is not on us to speculate. I expect us to have our whole team at some point.”
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving's vaccination status.
(via @SNYNets)
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 27, 2021
Irving himself was not at Media Day (presumably for the same reason he won't be allowed to play at Barclays Center) but his decision to not get the jab has clearly loomed large over the franchise. The Nets are currently the betting favorites to win the NBA title, but one would assume Las Vegas oddsmakers did not account for the team's third-best player missing at least half of the regular season.
Could the Nets still win a title with Irving only playing road games? Who knows. They've still got two MVPs in Durant and James Harden, surrounded by veteran depth at every position. Irving still has time to get vaccinated before the season begins, but according to Durant, he won't be the one to persuade him.
Follow Us
Subscribe