New York City mayor hints at when Nets' Kyrie Irving can play in home games: Timeline of statements on NYC vaccine mandate

Gilbert McGregor

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New York City mayor hints at when Nets' Kyrie Irving can play in home games: Timeline of statements on NYC vaccine mandate image

Days after it appeared as though Kyrie Irving would soon be able to rejoin the Nets on a full-time basis, a statement from New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicates that it still could be some time before Irving is permitted to play in home games.

Irving, who is unvaccinated for COVID-19, cannot participate in games that take place in New York City due to regulations surrounding unvaccinated residents. Unvaccinated players on visiting teams, however, are permitted to participate in games at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.

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Less than a day after reports from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that it could be a matter of days before Irving returned to his home floor, Adams set the record straight during an appearance on CNBC.

“It would send the wrong message to have an exception for one player when we’re telling a countless number of NYC employees, ‘If you don’t follow the rules, you won’t be able to be employed,’" Adams said.

What can be made of the situation? A timeline of the situation provides clarity on Irving's standing as an unvaccinated athlete for a New York City sports team.

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Timeline of NYC mayor's statements on vaccine mandate

(All dates EST)

Nov. 2, 2021: Adams is elected as mayor of New York City.

Nov. 5, 2021: Adams said appeared on CNN with Wolf Blitzer, saying “New York City’s not going to change their rule." 

Adams continued, adding “and again, it’s up to the NBA and Kyrie to come to a full understanding on how to keep him on the Nets and continue to look after all our athletes that are coming here.”

Jan. 2, 2022: Adams assumes the office as the mayor of New York City.

Feb. 16, 2022: Adams says "I think the rule is unfair" regarding vaccine mandate preventing Kyrie Irving from playing in home games:

Feb. 23, 2022: In a press conference 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."

Feb. 27, 2022: Adams announces March 7 as the date in which the Key2NYC mandate will be loosened, adding that Irving still remains playing under a city mandate for large employers but he would still be expected to be cleared in due time.

Through the loosening of the mandate Irving could attend games as a spectator, however.

Feb. 28, 2022:  During an appearance on CNBC, Adams clarifies that he could not make an exception for just Irving.

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.