Kyrie Irving “won’t play or train” with the Brooklyn Nets due to vaccination status

On Friday, a New York City Hall official told CNN that Irving will be able to train at the team’s facility but will not be able to play in the Nets’ home games at Barclays Center due to the city’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate.

Head coach Steve Nash had admitted that his team will be without Irving for predictable home games, but Marks said the Nets would not allow a team member to be part-time.

“Kyrie has made a personal choice and we respect her individual right to choose,” Marks said in a statement.

“Currently, the choice limits his ability to be a full-time member of the team and we will not allow any member of our team to participate on a part-time basis.

“It is imperative to continue building chemistry as a team and remain true to our established values ​​of solidarity and sacrifice.

“Our league goals for the season have not changed and to achieve these goals every member of our organization must go in the same direction. We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the proud Brooklyn district. “

Irving, a seven-time All-Star, spoke on the league’s media day last month about his excitement to play again in front of fans, but refused to disclose his vaccination status, saying he “would like to keep this private.” .

“I know I will be there every day no matter what happens and I will be there for my teammates as one of the team leaders,” he added.

“I know the attention has to be at an all-time high, with no distractions. That’s the last thing I wanted to create, it was more distractions, more hustle and bustle and more drama around this.

“I’m doing my best to keep it with good intentions and a good heart.”

In September, the NBA warned the Nets, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors that new Covid-19 policies set by local governments will prohibit any unvaccinated player from playing in home games in New York City and San Francisco.

The Nets opened their 2021-22 season away against reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on October 19, before hosting their first home game of the season on October 24 against the Charlotte Hornets.