"I feel like that's what the mayor wants right now, is some attention": Kevin Durant
Covid vaccine policies continue to be a hot button topic in sports, and Nets star KD called out New York's mayor, saying "he better" figure it out.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant put up 53 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in Sunday's 110-107 victory over the New York Knicks. Meanwhile, his teammate Kyrie Irving sat on the sidelines, unable to play because of New York City's covid-19 vaccination policies.
What is NYC's vaccine policy?
The vaccine mandate that NYC previously had in place ended on March 7, but a private sector mandate still prevents Irving from playing in his home games. The difference is that he was finally allowed to enter into the stadium for Sunday's game vs the Knicks.
"There's unvaxed people in this building already," said Durant. "Are they fearing our safety? I don't get it."
Irving was met with cheers and chants of "free Kyrie" on the way to his courtside seat. Nets Coach Steve Nash said that he was in locker room during halftime and to him, it didn't make much sense that he wasn't allowed to sit with his teammates or play. At the end of the game, Durant and Irving hugged. That's when Durant laid into NYC mayor Eric Adams in his postgame interview.
"It just feels like at this point now, somebody's trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority. But everybody out here is looking for attention and that's what I feel like the mayor wants right now, is some attention," Durant said. "But he'll figure it out soon. He better."
New York City residents and the Nets are hoping the private sector mandate will be lifted soon as well, as the contradictory rules continue to frustrate and confuse people, like Durant.
"Early on in the season people didn't understand what was going on, but now it just looks stupid," said Durant. "So hopefully, Eric (Adams), you got to figure this out."