The Brooklyn Nets are bringing back All-Star guard Kyrie Irving as a part-time player for games outside of New York, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The unfolding circumstances of Brooklyn’s season – including injuries, players lost to health and safety protocols and an inordinate minutes load on their superstar players led the team to this move, sources said.
So far, Irving has been unwilling to satisfy New York City mandates and become vaccinated to play home games, but the turbulence of the ongoing NBA season has caused the organization to reconsider their preseason decision to fully sideline Irving, sources said.
Government rule allow Irving to practice at home, and the Nets agreed with Irving on a plan that would allow him to start ramping back up for a return to play, sources said.
The Nets’ next road game is Dec. 23 in Portland, followed by a Christmas Day game at the Los Angeles Lakers and a Dec. 27 game at the LA Clippers. That stretch is followed by three more home games.
Nets owner Joe Tsai, general manager Sean Marks, coach Steve Nash and key players were fully supportive of the idea — and Irving has been eager to return to play in the team’s away games, sources said. Irving can start practicing at team facility.
