Kyrie Irving will not be able to play for the Brooklyn Nets until he is vaccinated.
The Nets announced Tuesday that Irving will not play or train with them until he is a full participant, discarding the idea that the star could only perform in away games.
Irving has not confirmed whether he has been vaccinated and asked for privacy after speaking on the team’s media day via Zoom on Sept. 27. But he has been seen a few times with the team in New York, a city in which there is a requirement for vaccination against the coronavirus for athletes who play or train in public places.
“Kyrie has made it clear that he made a decision on this matter and it will ultimately be a matter of what he decides,” said general manager Sean Marks. “We respect the fact that it has a faculty, it can take it alone and for the moment what is best for the organization is the direction we are taking.”
Teams are not allowed to reveal the private details of their players’ health. But when asked Tuesday whether Irving was vaccinated, Marks said: “If he were vaccinated, we wouldn’t be having this discussion. I think that is clear ”.
Marks said the decision was made by him along with owner Joe Tsai. He added that it was defined after a consultation with Irving and his associates.
Irving hadn’t even been able to practice with the Nets in New York until Friday, when the city informed the team that its practice facility is considered a private space.
Irving subsequently joined the team at an outside practice on Saturday and exercised with the team on Sunday, but did not play the exhibition game in Philadelphia on Monday.
Coach Steve Nash has said the Nets knew they wouldn’t have Irving for several games. For the moment they will be all.
“It is imperative that we continue to work on team cohesion and stay true to our values of unity and sacrifice,” said Marks. “Our goals of a championship for the season have not changed and to achieve these goals each of the members of the organization needs to go in the same direction.”
“We are excited about the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make Brooklyn proud,” he added.
With Kevin Durant, James Harden and Irving, the Nets were considered favorites for the NBA title. They were eliminated in the second round by the Milwaukee Bucks in past playoffs after Irving sprained his ankle and missed the last three games.
NBA players do not need to be fully vaccinated, but they do need to undergo further testing and restrictions to participate in activities with their teammates. The league had said that players will not receive their salary for missed games if they are not eligible to play.
Marks indicated that Irving will receive his pay for the road games.
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