LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 03: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets during a pre season game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 3, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash has confirmed that the team will be without Kyrie Irving for home games due to COVID rules.
Things sure are getting complicated for the Brooklyn Nets and Kyrie Irving. With Irving among the group of NBA players not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, the team knows they could be without the star guard for a large chunk of games.
Well, in a stunner, Nets head coach Steve Nash came out on Sunday and admitted that the team is bracing to not have Irving suit up for home games at the Barclays Centers moving forward. While Irving will play in road games, not having him in the plans for home action is wild to even think about.
Steve Nash is getting ready to be without Kyrie Irving for home games
Irving has been cleared to practice at the Nets facility, but due to his vaccine status, he isn’t allowed to play at the Barclays Center per NYC rules. Despite knowing this, Irving has remained adamant that he’s not planning to get the vaccine.
This of course complicates things for the Nets as a whole for the 2021-22 campaign. With the training facility being considered a ‘private facility,’ this has allowed Irving to practice. However, the same can’t be said for Barclays, which means Irving can’t play.
For now, Irving can at least practice with the squad and be around his teammates over at the facility. At the same time, fans can’t expect him to be in action on Oct. 29 for the regular-season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
Moving forward, it’s up in the air if Irving will change his stance on the vaccine, but it doesn’t look like he’s going to budge at all on the matter.