NBA News: Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving Goes On Instagram Live And Discusses Retirement Rumors And Vaccination Status

Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets went live on Instagram on Wednesday evening.

Brooklyn Nets All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving has been in the news quite a bit recently. 

The team recently announced that he cannot be a part-time player, and until he is vaccinated (to meet New York state requirements for home games) he cannot play for the franchise. 

The statement from the Nets on Tuesday can be seen embedded below from The Athletics' Shams Chariana. 

Nets GM Sean Marks statement on Brooklyn's decision to sit Kyrie Irving until he fulfills NYC vaccination rules: pic.twitter.com/4LBIQXt7al

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 12, 2021

There have been many rumors and reports about Irving without actually hearing from the seven-time All-Star himself. 

Well, on Wednesday evening, Irving surprisingly went on Instagram live to discuss his thoughts on the whole situation. 

A clip of Irving talking from his Instagram live on Wednesday evening can be seen in a video that is embedded in a Tweet below from NBA Central's Twitter account. 

Kyrie Irving speaks pic.twitter.com/So7qwh1r2f

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 14, 2021

"Don't believe that I'm retiring," Irving said in the Instagram live video. "Don't believe that Imma give up this game for a vaccine mandate, or staying unvaccinated."

Kyrie spoke. Make what you will.

Nothing about the Nets, only that he isn’t retiring. Vax status stops him from playing in NY & there’s no telling when he’ll be back.

So, Nets won’t have Irving (TBD) during the biggest season in franchise history. But they do have KD & Harden. https://t.co/QbEtt8q4Qo

— Anthony Puccio (@APOOCH) October 14, 2021

Kyrie Irving says tonight on Instagram live: "I’m standing with all those that believe what is right. Everybody is entitled to do what they feel is what’s best for themselves. Seeing the way this is dividing our world up...it’s sad to see...People are losing jobs to mandates." https://t.co/UMy7I1JZcg

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2021

Kyrie Irving goes on IG Live says “no I’m not retiring…” continues on to say this pic.twitter.com/4J7GfDcGIB

— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) October 14, 2021

“No, I’m not retiring, no, I’m not going and leaving this game like this.”

- Kyrie Irving. pic.twitter.com/fpBHaPf7mG

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 14, 2021

The Brooklyn Nets play the first game of the 2021-22 NBA season on October 19. 

They will play the Milwaukee Bucks (in Wisconsin) in a rematch from the 2021 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

As of now, it does not appear as if Irving will be playing unless he gets vaccinated. 

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