Even without Kyrie Irving, the Nets are still performing at a high level, sitting at 19-8 and in first place in the Eastern Conference.
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Entering the 2021-22 NBA season, it was unclear if All-Star guard Kyrie Irving would play given New York’s vaccine mandate that requires all players on the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks to receive at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine in order to play in home games. Irving has been adamant that he doesn’t want to get the vaccine, and the Nets didn’t want him to be a part-time player at the start of the season, which would have meant he only played in road games.
Sources close to the Brooklyn Nets have ‘renewed optimism” Kyrie Irving could play this season, per @ShamsCharania
It’s unclear if that would be through letting Irving play road games or by fulfilling New York City’s vaccination mandate pic.twitter.com/hcbltV15Mn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 13, 2021
However, there’s reportedly been renewed optimism within the Nets organization that Irving could play this season, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
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“It remains unclear whether Irving’s potential return this season would come via vaccination to meet New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement or by Brooklyn opening the door for him to play road games and practice at home, but sources have indicated a renewed belief that Irving could play this season after all. Nets players and coaches want to have Irving rejoin the team as soon as possible. In recent weeks, Irving and Kevin Durant, his co-star and close friend, have had increased communication about his fit on the team, breaking down the games, and about life in general, sources added. There appears to be an increased level of enthusiasm between the two superstars.”
This is a different stance than what was reported a couple weeks ago with the Nets being open to the idea of trading Irving as the guard wasn’t close on deciding to get the vaccine. Brooklyn has said publicly on multiple occasions it would welcome Irving back with open arms if he decided to get the vaccine or if New York City were to lift its vaccine mandate. However, mayor-elect Eric Adams does not plan to make any changes to the current vaccine mandate in place. New York City also plans to implement a more robust vaccine mandate on Dec. 27, which will require all private sector employees to be fully vaccinated, meaning two shots of Pfizer or Moderna, or one shot of Johnson & Johnson.
The easiest route right now seems to be the Nets allowing Irving to become a part-time player, something the team was against at the start of the season. But Irving’s absence has put a strain on the Nets, specifically for Durant and James Harden. Both players are logging over 36 minutes a night, and with Harden’s offensive inefficiency to start the season, its put a bulk of the scoring responsibility on Durant’s shoulders this season.
Without Irving, the Nets are still performing at a high level, sitting at 19-8 and in first place in the Eastern Conference. There’s no doubt Irving would undoubtedly make things easier for Durant and Harden if he were on the floor as he would be another playmaker the team could go to if Harden is struggling and Durant’s on the bench. Irving’s return doesn’t sound imminent right now, but it sounds like Brooklyn feels better about him returning at some point this season.
