Brooklyn Nets won’t play Irving until vaccinated

NBA star Kyrie Irving can keep refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but he can’t play for the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets announced Irving won’t play or practice with the team until he can be a full participant, ending the idea he could play in only road games. Under a New York City mandate, professional athletes playing for a team in the city must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to play or practice in public venues.

General manager Sean Marks says Irving will still be paid for road games. Irving hasn’t said he isn’t vaccinated, asking for privacy when he spoke via Zoom during the team’s media day on Sept. 27.

NBA players are not required to be vaccinated, but they face more testing and social distancing.