Based on recent developments in New York City, the Nets are hoping to get superstar guard Kyrie Irving back on a full-time basis but there still could be a hold up in his ability to participate in home games.
On Sunday, Feb. 27, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that the Key2NYC COVID-19 vaccine mandate would be loosened, which is a step towards Irving's ability to play. According to reports from The Athletic's Shams Charania and ESPN's Shams Charania, however, Irving remains restricted from playing under a New York City mandate for large employers.
Here's interpretation on NYC Mayor's announcement: Kyrie Irving remains restricted from playing under NYC mandate for large employers, but March 7 loosening of Key2NYC mandate is another step in what's expected to be an inevitability Irving will be cleared to play this season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2022
This update comes after a Wednesday press conference in which New York City Mayor Eric Adams was asked about other American cities that are beginning to phase out COVID-19 vaccine mandates for indoor spaces and if New York has a plan to take on a similar approach.
"Yes and I can't wait to get it done," Adams told reporters.
He continued, adding that "every morning I meet with my health professionals because I always say that I'm going to follow the science – I'm not going to get ahead of the science because I'm ready to get ahead of all of this and get back to a level of normalcy."
Quite significant from @NYCMayor discussing for the first time his desire to (eventually) remove vaccine mandates.
— The Glue Guys (@BKGlueGuys) February 23, 2022
Says much more information to come in the next few days pic.twitter.com/h7FRXjZnS0
Adams' statement comes not long after he agreed with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that the rule in place is unfair.
Irving, who remains unvaccinated for COVID-19, has been unable to take the floor for Nets home games due to the current mandate that is in place. Such mandates being phased out would permit Irving to participate in nearly all of Brooklyn's remaining games after initially rejoining the team as a part-time participant in early January.
MORE: Kyrie Irving says 'there's no guilt that I feel' about part-time availability
When could Kyrie Irving play in Nets' home games?
As for a timeline on when such changes could materialize, Mayor Adams added that "I look forward in the next few weeks, going through a real transformation that I don't have to wonder what you look like, I will know what you look like again," adding a quip regarding mask mandates in the city.
At the time of this writing, the Nets have 21 games remaining, with Irving eligible to play in just seven.
In addition to the 12 home games that he currently can not enter the building for, Irving is unable to suit up for a road game against the Knicks on April 6 due to New York City's current mandate and is unable to enter Ontario, Canada to face the Raptors on March 1 due to a provincial mandate regarding unvaccinated athletes.
Should the changes be put in place in the coming weeks, Irving's status could change ahead of a crucial stretch run for the Nets, who came out of the All-Star break 2.5 games back of the East's sixth seed.
New York City has a plan to phase out the vaccine mandate in the coming weeks, Mayor Eric Adams says, at which point Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving would be cleared for home games.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2022
Spokesperson adds that current rules remain in place.
"I will say that he's been extremely locked in," Nets head coach Steve Nash said after Wednesday's practice. "Kyrie's been great on the practice floor. He's been great in film sessions. He's been creating dialogue over aspects of our play. So I sense a real focus and urgency from him. And so if that's any indication, I would say he is getting excited at the prospect of being allowed to play in all our games and hopefully in the short term."
Nets schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV | Is Kyrie Eligible? |
| Feb. 28 | vs. Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| March 1 | at Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| March 3 | vs. Heat | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | No |
| March 6 | at Celtics | 1:00 p.m. | ABC | Yes |
| March 8 | at Hornets | 7:00 p.m. | – | Yes |
| March 10 | at 76ers | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | Yes |
| March 13 | vs. Knicks | 1:00 p.m. | ABC | No |
| March 15 | at Magic | 7:00 p.m. | – | Yes |
| March 16 | vs. Mavericks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | No |
| March 18 | vs. Trail Blazers | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| March 21 | vs. Jazz | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV | No |
| March 23 | at Grizzlies | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | Yes |
| March 26 | at Heat | 8:00 p.m. | NBA TV | Yes |
| March 27 | vs. Hornets | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| March 29 | vs. Pistons | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| March 31 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | No |
| April 2 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV | Yes |
| April 5 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| April 6 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | No |
| April 8 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | – | No |
| April 10 | vs. Pacers | TBD | – | No |
*Bold indicates games in which Irving is eligible to play as of Wednesday, Feb. 23
