© Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Playoffs-Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets
NEW YORK (77WABC) — The Brooklyn Nets announced Tuesday that basketball star Kyrie Irving will not be able to play for the team in any games or practice until he is vaccinated.
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
“Given the evolving nature of the situation and after thorough deliberation, we have decided Kyrie Irving will not play or practice with the team until he is eligible to be a full participant,” reads a statement from General Manager Sean Marks. “Kyrie has made a personal choice, and we respect his individual right to choose. Currently the choice restricts his ability to be a full-time member of the team, and we will not permit any member of our team to participate with part-time availability.
“It is imperative that we continue to build chemistry as a team and remain true to our long-established values of togetherness and sacrifice. Our championship goals for the season have not changed, and to achieve these goals each member of our organization must pull in the same direction,” the statement adds.
Every Knicks and Nets player is required to be vaccinated in New York in order to practice or play at home games. Irving is the only member of this team to be unvaccinated and has not been with the team for any of their practices.
The team’s first home game is in one week against the Milwaukee Bucks.
“We are excited for the start of the season and look forward to a successful campaign that will make the borough of Brooklyn proud,” the statement continues.
