Brooklyn Nets All-Star Kyrie Irving is expected to miss home games due to refusing to comply with New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
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.
His only response to the recent news was a vague statement on Twitter that said “I am protected by God and so are my people. We stand together.”
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.
If the restriction remains throughout the 2021-2022 season, Irving could miss 41 home games and lose up to $16.8 million.
The restrictions from home games do not include restrictions in other NBA stadiums that require vaccine mandates. So far, those include Madison Square Gardens in New York, home of the NBA’s Knicks. The Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers include similar regulations in California.
