The NBA’s Brooklyn Nets’ guard Kyrie Irving has been banned from the team until he is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a new statement from the team.
“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant. Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose,” Nets General Manager Sean Marks said in a statement from the Nets on Tuesday.
“Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability,” he added.
Irving was allowed to practice with the team after the Nets’ training facility was considered private. His return to the team’s home court, however, will remain restricted.
“I think we recognize he’s not playing home games. We’re going to have to for sure play without him this year. So it just depends on when, where and how much,” Nets Head Coach Steve Nash said.
Irving has not spoken publicly about his decision to refuse to comply with the vaccine mandate since addressing media via a Zoom video in September.
Irving has not confirmed his vaccine status but asked the media for privacy concerning the matter.
Last season, Irving was fined more than $1 million for unexplained absences related to COVID-19 protocols. It is unclear how much Irving will lose sitting out home games this season, though he reportedly makes $400,000 per game.
