After a brief moment when it seemed like a possibility, it is now very unlikely that Kyrie Irving will play a home game with his Brooklyn Nets this year.
But that doesn’t mean the star point guard can’t watch a game from the stands.
Kyrie Irving paid for courtside tickets to attend today’s Nets game, per @malika_andrews pic.twitter.com/Ym9vt9VcXR
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) March 13, 2022
Due to a change in New York’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate, Irving is allowed to sit courtside at a game at the Barclays Center – without a mask – but he still cannot play with his squad.
That’s exactly what happened on Sunday afternoon when Irving paid for courtside tickets to root on the Nets and was able to watch them take down the New York Knicks.
This is leading many to wonder why Irving isn’t allowed to play in home games if he’s allowed to watch them maskless.
Rules Are Rules
Current New York public sector rules about the vaccine have eased and allow people to attend games and events without masks.
But private sector rules still prohibit Irving from suiting up to play with his team until he is vaccinated.
None of this seems to be changing soon, which means that Irving probably won’t get the green light to play in home games before the regular season concludes.
However, it does look a little silly to see Irving sitting literally feet away from the players without a mask but still unable to actually play with them.
Others players, like Kevin Durant, are now getting a bit peeved that Irving isn’t allowed to play.
After Sunday’s game, Durant told Sports Illustrated, “It’s ridiculous. I don’t understand it at all. We’re all confused. Pretty much everybody in the world is confused at this point.”
No matter who speaks out about the rules, they probably won’t change soon.
That means the only way Irving can play with his peers at home is to get his shots.
NEXT: Kevin Durant Called Out 76ers Fans After A Big Nets Win