After months of enduring a part-time status in Brooklyn, things are about to change for Kyrie Irving.
According to POLITICO, New York City is set to change its vaccination policy, which will allow Irving to play in home games for the first time this season.
Kyrie Irving and other unvaccinated athletes will be allowed to play professional sports in New York City under a major policy change Mayor Eric Adams is poised to announce Thursday, sources familiar with the matter confirmed.
On Thursday the mayor is expected to declare his decision to reverse the private-sector vaccine mandate specifically for performers and athletes in local venues, including Barclays Center — home to the Brooklyn Nets — and both Citi Field in Queens and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.
The news comes on the heels of Adams’ announcement Tuesday that he plans to lift the mask mandate for toddlers in city daycare centers on April 4.
Kyrie Irving and other unvaccinated athletes will be allowed to play professional sports in New York City under a major policy change Mayor Eric Adams is poised to announce Thursday, sources familiar with the matter confirmed. https://t.co/9Il9ZEtWAT
— POLITICO New York (@politicony) March 23, 2022
The city’s vaccine mandates have been challenged by countless individuals around the country. For some reason, Irving wasn’t allowed to play in the arena, but away players (and audience members) were allowed to participate with almost no restrictions.
“I don’t get it. It just feels like, at this point now, somebody’s trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority,” Durant said earlier this month. “Everybody out here looking for attention and that’s what I feel like the mayor wants right now. Some attention. But he’ll figure it out soon. He better.”
Irving, who turned 30 today, has only played in 19 games this season and was thought to be limited in his availability throughout the playoffs.
Now, the Nets can enjoy his services full-time — which will be a huge boost to their title ambitions.
This season, the star guard is averaging 27.7 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game on 49% shooting. Even without Ben Simmons, the Nets can make some significant ground in their quest to capture a title.
