VAX TO GRIND

Kyrie looking to keep inoculation status under wraps

After so much wonder, Kyrie Irving did show his face at Nets media day on Monday.

But that was it — his countenance on a Zoom screen, because his body does not appear to be allowed inside a crowded building in New York City.

Irving did not confirm multiple reports that he is unvaccinated and asked for privacy whenever asked about his vaccination status or how it could affect his ability to play in games this season.

There has been concern that he would not be able to play at Barclays Center, as New York City requires at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for people 12 and older in most indoor establishments.

Irving did not want to respond to any question about his availability and continually asked for privacy, while live-streaming his news conference on Instagram.

“I’m not able to be present there today,” Irving said in his first public comments since a pair of reports hinted at his vaccine hesitancy. “But that doesn’t mean that I’m putting any limits on the future of me being able to join the team.”

Irving, who is the vice president of the National Basketball Players Association executive committee, suggested that his separation from the team under the vaccination rules is temporary. General manager Sean Marks said recently that while all of his team would not be able to participate at home games right now because of the mandate, he expected his entire team “would be allowed to participate” by the start of the season.

Irving was not with the team Monday and repeatedly declined to reveal the reasoning.

“All the questions kind of leading into what’s happening — just please, everything will be released at a due date,” the star point guard said in about an 11minute news conference, “once we get this cleared up.”

A Rolling Stone report from this weekend quoted Irving’s aunt, Tyki Irving, as saying Kyrie could sit in games that would require a jab. Tyki told the outlet his alleged vaccine rejection is moral-based and not religious-based.

Speculation has since run rampant about a conspiracyminded player. Asked if he wanted to debunk or respond to any of the conjecture, Irving said, “Next question.”

And yet, as the Nets packed up and headed to San Diego for training camp — in which Irving, if indeed unvaccinated, still would be allowed to participate — the players did not seem worried about one of their stars’ ability to play home games.

“I expect it not to be an issue,”

Kevin Durant said. “That’s on Kyrie. That’s his personal decision. What he does is not on us to speculate. I expect us to have our whole team at some point.”

James Harden deflected and said Irving could explain himself, but added: “Obviously, Ky is a huge part of what we’re trying to do.”

Asked about the possibility of Irving missing games in Brooklyn because of the vaccine, guards Joe Harris and Bruce Brown were surprised and briefly silent before they both suggested this controversy would be over soon.

“I have no concerns,” said Brown, who shot a promo for the city encouraging people to get vaccinated.

San Francisco has an order similar to New York’s, and the league declined an exemption from Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins last week.

Irving signaled he planned to go to training camp with the team. The Nets’ first preseason game at home will be Oct. 8 against the Bucks, which Irving would have to miss if the issue is not settled.

“I’m just looking forward to playing with everybody,” said the seven-time All-Star entering his third season with the Nets. “Everybody that’s going to be in that locker room and just growing throughout this journey.”

Without Irving’s explanation, the only words to rely upon are from those who know him well. DeAndre’ Bembry, a small forward/shooting guard embarking on his sixth NBA season, played at what is now called The Patrick School in Elizabeth, N.J., where Irving graduated. The two have worked out some this summer.

“He’s going to make his own decisions,” Bembry said. “And that’s pretty much what it comes down to.”