The Nets are set to have Kyrie Irving back as a full-time player as New York City Mayor Eric Adams is reportedly set to lift the private sector vaccine mandate.
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Mayor Adams has been reducing mandate policies since taking office on Jan. 1, and one of the few mandates remaining surrounded the private-sector vaccine mandate that affected performers and athletes in local venues, including Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden, as well as both Citi Field in Queens and Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, where the Mets and the Yankees play, respectively.
The private-sector mandate doesn't allow employees to work in the office — or players to play for their teams — without vaccination against COVID-19, although unvaccinated players from opposing teams are able to play NBA games in New York.
Mayor Adams is expected to announce on Thursday that the mandate will be lifted, allowing Irving to play in Nets' remaining home games.
MORE: Timeline of statements on NYC vaccine mandate
Sources: Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving will be cleared for home games as New York City will on Thursday change private sector vaccine mandate to allow exemption for athletes and entertainers in workplace. Unvaccinated Yankees and Mets players also now eligible for home games.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2022
The conversation around the vaccine mandate reached a boiling point when Irving recently appeared courtside for a Nets home game. The NYC's indoor vaccine mandate had been loosened, allowing Irving to enter the building as a guest, but the city's private sector mandate meant he was not allowed to actually suit up and play.
Kyrie Irving purchased courtside seats to support his teammates today at home.
— ESPN (@espn) March 13, 2022
(h/t @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/2KspS3FSqT
“Yeah, I don’t get it,” Kevin Durant said after that game. “But at this point now, it feels like somebody’s trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority. But everybody out here is looking for attention, and that’s what I feel the mayor wants right now is some attention. He’ll figure it out soon. He better."
The Nets were later fined $50,000 for "violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols" because Irving entered the team's locker room.
MORE: Why Irving can attend home games in Brooklyn as spectator but remains ineligible to play
Mayor Adams had been steadfast in his approach that he would not change the mandate for one person, continually urging Irving to get the vaccine.
“Everyone is focused on the sports area. They’re focusing on one person. I’m focusing on nine million people,” the mayor said on March 16. “I’m not looking at one person. I’m looking at my city not closing down again.”
When will Kyrie Irving make his Nets home debut?
The announcement of the changes to the NYC private-sector mandate is expected to come on Thursday, meaning the earliest Irving will be able to make his home debut will be Sunday against the Hornets.
Kyrie Irving is eligible to make his home debut at Barclays Center on Sunday vs. the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. New NYC exemption for in-town athletes and performers will be effective immediately beginning Thursday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2022
The Nets play the Heat on Saturday but that is a game that Irving was already eligible to play in as it's in Miami.
Under the mandate, Irving was only eligible to play in three of the Nets' remaining 10 games.
Nets remaining schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV |
| March 23 | at Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 26 | at Heat | 8:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 27 | vs. Hornets | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| March 29 | vs. Pistons | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| March 31 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| April 2 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| April 5 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| April 6 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| April 8 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | – |
| April 10 | vs. Pacers | TBD | – |
Kyrie Irving's stats
| Games Played | 19 |
| Points Per Game | 27.7 |
| Assists Per Game | 5.3 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 4.7 |
| Steals Per Game | 1.4 |
| FG% | 49.0 |
| 3P% | 43.0 |
| FT% | 90.1 |
