The National Basketball Association (NBA) fined the Brooklyn Nets on March 14 for letting a player who hasn’t received a COVID-19 vaccine into their locker room.
Kyrie Irving was permitted to enter the locker room over the weekend when his team, the Nets, played the New York Knicks at Barclays Center, according to the NBA.
Irving sat courtside away from the team because current city rules bar unvaccinated players from playing in games if they are employed by the Nets or Knicks; the rules don’t apply to visiting players.
The NBA said it was levying the fine against the Nets for “violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols” during the game on Sunday.
The Nets didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams earlier in March rolled back a vaccine mandate for customers entering private businesses but has kept in place mandates for private business and city employees.
Adams has claimed the mandates will help keep the city open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kevin Durant, one of Irving’s teammates, criticized Adams after Sunday’s game, saying the Democrat’s decision seemed to be centered on “trying to make a statement.”
“Everybody out here looking for attention. I feel like that’s what the mayor wants right now; some attention,” he added, calling on Adams to “figure this out.”
The mandates were imposed by Adams’ predecessor, Democrat Bill de Blasio.
Most municipalities have rolled back vaccine and mask mandates in recent weeks because the number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have plunged nationwide.
Adams’ office has not responded to requests for comment.
The Nets released a statement from Durant on Monday.
“The last two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with the changing landscape of the rules and mandates,” Durant said.
“I do appreciate the task the mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through. My frustration with the situation doesn’t change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities I live in and play in.”
