Kyrie Irving Still Can’t Play Home Games After NYC Mayor Says City Will Lift Vaccine Mandate

The mayor of New York City announced that if things go smoothly, the city will remove the vaccine requirements for entertainment venues.

New York City mayor Eric Adams announced that if the city continues to show a low level of risk in spreading COVID-19, he will remove the vaccine requirements for indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues on March 7. However, the private sector mandate would still prohibit Nets star Kyrie Irving from playing in home games, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. 

The mayor's press secretary, Fabien Levy, confirmed The Athletic’s report. Adams stipulated this would all happen if there were “no surprises this week.”

New York City’s #COVID numbers continue to go down.

So long as our indicators show a low level of risk and we see no surprises this week, on Monday, March 7 we will also remove the vaccination requirements for Key2NYC — meaning indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues.

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 27, 2022

This ⬇️ is accurate reporting.

Fastest way for all New Yorkers to get back to normal life is for us ALL to get vaccinated. https://t.co/zwyK0VpUjw

— Fabien Levy (@Fabien_Levy) February 27, 2022

Irving is unvaccinated and has been playing only on the road for the Nets due to the city’s vaccination mandate. It looks like he’ll have to wait a little bit longer to play at the Barclays Center. However, he can now attend home games as a spectator. 

Irving has been the lone star to be able to suit up for the Nets in recent weeks. He’s averaging 25.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while Kevin Durant recovers from a sprained MCL and the newly acquired Ben Simmons deals with back soreness, per Charania. 

Brooklyn (32–29) is the No. 8 seed in the East.