Finally, there’s some good news regarding Kyrie Irving’s playing status with the Brooklyn Nets. 27 games into the season, the Nets have managed to hold the first seed in the Eastern Conference with a record of 19-8. However, knowing that this team won’t be at it’s best without Irving has been one of the most concerning points of emphasis for Brooklyn for quite a while.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, there are indications that Irving is seriously considering a return to the court this season.
“Sources have indicated a renewed belief that Irving could play this season after all. Nets players and coaches want to have Irving rejoin the team as soon as possible. In recent weeks, Irving and his co-star and close friend have had increased communication about his fit on the team, breaking down the games, and about life in general, sources added. There appears to be an increased level of enthusiasm between the two superstars.”
The last time we saw the Nets star take the court, he was cooking in the playoffs during last year’s failed championship run, averaging 23 PPG on 47% shooting from the field. Irving, who is by far one of the game’s best offensive players of all-time, is everything Brooklyn needs right now. As one of top defenses in the league already, the 29-year-old will immediately take the Nets from a dominant team to an almost unstoppable team upon his return.
Sources: There’s renewed optimism around All-NBA star Kyrie Irving returning to the Brooklyn Nets this season.
Details on Nets-Irving latest, Ben Simmons‘ market and more in Inside Pass at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/EJBvA7v8Pn
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 13, 2021
If Irving plans to meet the requirements to become fully eligible to play, however, he will soon need two vaccine doses instead of just one.
“New York City will implement an expanded vaccine mandate for all private sector individuals on Dec. 27, at which point Irving would need to receive two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna shots to be eligible to play at home or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson dose. The process of being fully vaccinated with the two-dose shot could take up to one month. The single-dose vaccine has full vaccination status after two weeks.”
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