Nets’ Irving allowed to practice but can’t play at home yet
NEW YORK — Unvaccinated Nets star Kyrie Irving is one step closer to returning to the team, at least for practice.
New York City has ruled the HSS Training Facility, where the Nets practice in Industry City, is a private office building, giving the franchise the power to set its own COVID-19 vaccination protocols. The determination clears a pathway for Irving, who has been away from the team since they returned from training camp in San Diego, to rejoin his teammates.
Nets coach Steve Nash said there’s a possibility the superstar scorer could be with his teammates on the road for Monday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, but he would not commit to a decision. Irving was ruled ineligible to play in Friday’s preseason matchup against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks due to his status as an unvaccinated player and New York City’s vaccination mandate at Barclays Center.
“It sounds like we may have Kyrie on the road with us, but I’m not sure if he’ll be playing since we haven’t had him for a week, and obviously safety first,” Nash said Friday. “Not gonna put him at a huge risk of injury, but a lot to be worked through. We’re just kind of getting information at the same time you are so, we’ll see.”
Irving was able to join his teammates for training camp in San Diego because the city’s vaccination guidelines are less stiff than those in New York, Oakland and now Los Angeles. Nash called any scenario where Irving can be around his teammates “a positive,” but he opted not to comment any further because the details and parameters of Irving’s availability for practice have yet to be firmly established.
“I think the hope is that Kai is at practice tomorrow,” Nash said. “It would be great to have him there. But I can’t confirm that yet.”
Nash also said he doesn’t anticipate his star guard will be available to play on Monday against the 76ers because of how long he’s been off the court while his teammates have been practicing. The Nets coach said they are treating Irving somewhat like they would treat an injured player who is returning to play after a long period off the floor.
“Yeah, more or less because when someone’s able to resume full activity on the court, they still would have to meet a certain amount of intensity before you put them in the game,” he said. “So I think even if you’re not injured, you still have to reach a threshold, and if you are hurt, once you are healthy, you have to meet those thresholds as well.”
Celtics’ Brown tests positive
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will miss the team’s exhibition game against the Raptors.
The Celtics said he was asymptomatic and entering isolation.
The third overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brown averaged nearly 25 points and six rebounds last season.
Asked about vaccines at media day last month, Brown said: “I have my own thoughts about it. I respect my teammate’s decisions and things like that. I know everybody has their own opinion on it. I think it’s a personal choice.”