The Brooklyn Nets have been without NBA superstar Kyrie Irving for all of their home games throughout the 2021-22 season. There’s been recent optimism about the landscape of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate being lifted in New York City, but that has reached an obstacle at this point.
On Sunday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported there is an expectation for a loosening of Key2NYC mandate as being “another step” in Kyrie Irving getting closer to being cleared to play Brooklyn Nets home games “this season.”
“Kyrie Irving remains restricted from playing under NYC mandate for large employers, but March 7 loosening of Key2NYC mandate is another step in what’s expected to be an inevitability Irving will be cleared to play this season,” Wojnarowski reported.
“It would send the wrong message to have an exception for one player when we’re telling a countless number of NYC employees, ‘If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be able to be employed,’” Adams said on CNBC.
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The Nets’ cooperation with the Philadelphia 76ers in the James Harden trade was made in part due to the outlook of Kyrie Irving being eventually becoming eligible to play in home games. Now, the Sixers have an elite duo that is firing on all cylinders while the Nets face uncertainties in regards to Irving’s status.
While it’s challenging to predict what Kyrie Irving will end up deciding to do in the offseason, it’s important to take into consideration that Brooklyn passed on giving. him a contract extension before the start of the 2021-22 season.
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The only certainties surrounding the Brooklyn Nets are the long-term contract status of Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons, and Kyrie Irving eventually being cleared to play home games in New York City as a member of the team.
When evaluating the stretch-run of the season, the Nets find themselves in the play-in tournament after collapsing while Kevin Durant has been sidelined with injury. His return is expected to occur this week and Ben Simmons is ramping up in his efforts to return to competition, but regardless, the team needs Kyrie Irving in the lineup for home games to maximize their outlook.
