NBA fines Nets $50K after Kyrie Irving joined postgame locker room in violation of COVID-19 protocols
The NBA has fined the Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for allowing Kyrie Irving to join the team in the locker room on Sunday in violation of the league's COVID-19 protocols.
Irving is not allowed to join the team for home games in Brooklyn because he's not vaccinated against COVID-19. Local mandates now allow Irving to enter Barclays Center as a spectator but he's not permitted to join the team as an employee due to New York's private sector vaccine mandate.
Irving attended Sunday's win over the New York Knicks in the stands, then joined his teammates in the postgame locker room. The NBA's protocols defer to whatever local vaccine mandates are in place.
Irving is allowed to play in road games for the Nets and has played in 18 games since joining the Nets part-time midseason. With the playoffs approaching, he remains prohibited from playing in home games unless he gets vaccinated, which he has vowed not to do.
Kevin Durant addresses criticism of NYC Mayor Eric Adams
Nets star Kevin Durant criticized New York Mayor Eric Adams on Sunday for the city's policy that allows Irving to attend games as a spectator but not play.
"It's ridiculous," Durant said of Irving's situation. ... "I don't get it. It just feels like at this point now somebody's trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority. Everybody out here's looking for attention. That's what I feel the mayor wants right now, is some attention. But he'll figure it out soon, he better. ...
"Are they fearing our safety? I don't get it. We're all confused. Everybody in the world is confused at this point. Early on in the season, people didn't understand what was going on. But now, it just looks stupid. Hopefully, Eric, you gotta figure this out."
On Monday, Durant issued a statement through the Nets addressing his criticism of Adams.
"The last two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with the changing landscape of the rules and mandates," Durant's statement reads. "I do appreciate the task the mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through.
"My frustration with the situation doesn't change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities that I live in and play in."
Adams addressed a heckler on Sunday who shouted at Adams to "let Kyrie play" during a public appearance.
"Kyrie can play tomorrow. Get vaccinated."
NYC Mayor Eric Adams responded to a heckler asking why Kyrie Irving still can't play at the Barclays Center.
(via @Jesseperel10)pic.twitter.com/Y2VrKa5J9r— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 13, 2022
"You're right," Adams said in response. "Kyrie can play tomorrow. Get vaccinated."
