NBA: Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving set to miss home games

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving may have officially started to practice with the team, but he is expected to sit out home games for the foreseeable future due to his refusal to comply with New York City’s vaccine mandate, according to Nets coach Steve Nash.

The rule requires people to have proof of having received at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine before being allowed in public indoor areas. Irving has refused to talk publicly about his vaccination status.

Irving allowed to practice

Irving was able to practice with the Nets after New York officials ruled that the team’s training facility in Brooklyn was considered a private building. However, the team’s home Barclays Center is regarded as a public structure.

Nash seems to be resigned to losing Irving’s services for part of the season.

“I think we recognize he’s not playing home games,” the coach said. “We’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where, and how much.”

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Irving to sit out up to 45 games

Nash says Irving will miss their preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers. If Irving continues to refuse to abide by the mandate, he could miss up to 45 association games this season.

This includes 41 home games at Barclays Center, as well as two games at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks. He would also be unable to play in matches in San Francisco and Los Angeles, both of which have their own vaccine regulations.

As the start of the official NBA games looms even closer, basketball fans will see just how determined Irving is in terms of his keeping or changing his stance on vaccination.

The Nets are scheduled to have their season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Oct. 19.