Unvaccinated Irving misses Nets’ practice
NEW YORK: Brooklyn point guard Kyrie Irving, who has been staunchly against getting vaccinated for the coronavirus, missed the Nets’ practice on Tuesday.
Irving practised with his teammates last week in San Diego but did not attend the team’s first practice in New York City as a result of the city’s strict Covid-19 protocols.
Because of the ongoing global pandemic, New York has implemented new health and safety regulations which do not allow unvaccinated athletes to take part in practices and games.
Irving would need proof of at least one vaccine shot in order to practise at the Barclays Center arena.
“No further update,” Nets coach Steve Nash said at practice on Tuesday. “We support him. We are here for him. Things change. When there’s a resolution, we’re here for him.”
If Irving continues to shun the vaccine, he would start missing Brooklyn’s home games. Irving could end up losing millions of dollars if he does not play home games this season.
“I’m not really worried about anything,” Nash said. “We’re just trying to work every day. We came in today and had a great practice and we’ll do the same tomorrow, and that’s kind of where I leave it.”
Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors swingman Andrew Wiggins said he was forced to get the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine in order to keep playing in the NBA.
“I guess you don’t own your body,” Wiggins said after the Warriors exhibition game on Monday against Portland.
“That’s what it comes down to. If you want to work in society today, then I guess they made the rules of what goes in your body and what you do.”
Wiggins said he received the one dose Covid-19 shot which would allow him to compete in Golden State’s home games this season. Wiggins had applied to the NBA for a religious exemption last month, but was denied.
In his first public comments since receiving the vaccine, the 26-year-old Canadian said he was left with no other choice but to get it.
“The only options were to get vaccinated or not play in the NBA,” Wiggins said. “It was a tough decision. Hopefully, it works out in the long run and in 10 years I’m still healthy.”