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Why Nets' Kyrie Irving can attend home games in Brooklyn as spectator, but remains ineligible to play

Gilbert McGregor

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Why Nets' Kyrie Irving can attend home games in Brooklyn as spectator, but remains ineligible to play image

As the Nets vie for positioning in the Eastern Conference standings, they are still navigating the part-time availability of star guard Kyrie Irving.

Due to his COVID-19 vaccination status, Irving is prohibited from participating in games that take place in New York City due to a private-sector mandate for unvaccinated persons. While Irving cannot play, he is now allowed to attend games in New York City as a spectator. 

MORE: Timeline of statements on NYC vaccine mandate

On Saturday, March 12, Irving was spotted at Brooklyn's Barclays Center for the ACC Championship Game, which featured his alma mater, Duke. Less than 24 hours later, Irving was back at Barclays Center to watch his Nets take on the Knicks. 

While most inactive players sit on the bench with their team, Irving attended as a spectator sitting courtside to watch his teammates play their crosstown rival.

So, Kyrie can attend games in his home arena and sit mere feet from the action, but he can't play?

Irving's attendance as a spectator is the latest development in an already-curious saga.

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Why can Kyrie Irving attend Nets' home games as a spectator?

Due to decreasing COVID-19 numbers in New York City, newly-appointed Mayor Eric Adams announced he would lift the "Key2NYC" vaccine mandate, beginning Monday, March 7.

While the lifting of the mandate allows the unvaccinated Irving to enter buildings in New York City, a separate private-sector mandate for employees remains a hurdle for Irving to play in games within the city.

As the Brooklyn Nets franchise is a New York City-based private company, it remains a requirement for all employees reporting for work to be vaccinated. Irving falls into that category.

MORE: By The Numbers: Kyrie Irving explodes for ultra-efficient 50-point game vs. Hornets

Per Charania, Irving was even able to join the Nets in the locker room at halftime despite not being able to sit with them on the bench.

LeBron James, who spent three seasons as Irving's teammate in Cleveland, took to Twitter to weigh in on the matter, saying it makes "absolutely zero sense."

When can Kyrie Irving play in Nets' home games?

Per Mayor Adams, the way for Irving to become eligible to play in games in New York City is to get vaccinated for COVID-19.

This is an unusual circumstance of multiple worlds colliding and it's not clear when this mandate will be lifted. So, for now, Irving remains sidelined in his home arena. 

Following their meeting with the Knicks, the Nets have 14 more regular-season games, 10 of which take place in New York City, meaning Irving is currently only eligible to play in four more games this season.

Barring no change in the mandate for private employers, Irving would also be ineligible for any postseason play in New York City.

Through his first 18 games this season, Irving is averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.