Kyrie Irving will not be able to play and practice with the Brooklyn Nets

All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will not be able to play or practice with the Brooklyn Nets because he is not in compliance with New York’s COVID-19 vaccination rules.

“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after extensive discussion, we have decided that Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant.” Kyrie made a personal choice and we respect his individual right to choose,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.

Irving then joined the team for outdoor practice on Saturday and worked out with the team on Sunday, but did not play in Brooklyn’s exhibition game in Philadelphia on Monday. He did not say he was unvaccinated and asked for confidentiality. Irving has rarely been with the team in New York, where the mandate requires professional athletes playing for a team in the city to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to play or practice in public.

Sean Marks told reporters on Tuesday that Irving will forfeit pay for the home games he misses while he is ineligible to play. Still, he hopes Irving returns at some point and the team welcomes him back.

With Kevin Durant, James Harden and Irving, the Nets were considered the favorite to win the NBA title. They were eliminated by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round of last season’s playoffs after Irving sprained his ankle and missed the final three games.