Kyrie Irving to make Nets home debut on Sunday vs. Hornets

Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving will reportedly make his home debut against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday after mandate change.

The Brooklyn Nets have remained patient for changes to New York City’s private-sector vaccine mandate to restore Kyrie Irving’s eligibility to play home games at Barclays Center.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Irving will be cleared to play home games on Thursday as a result of changes to the private sector vaccine mandate to enable exceptions for athletes and entertainers.

Charania later reported that Irving will make his home debut on Sunday when the Nets face the Charlotte Hornets. The adjustment to the New York City exemption will be in

The situation with Irving being allowed to sit courtside at Barclays Center without being vaccinated and unmasked while his teammates are playing just a few feet away raised questions about the need for an athletes and entertainers exemption. Also, Irving has been eligible to practice at the Nets practice facility despite not being eligible to participate in home games.

“We’re going to do it in the right way,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said on Tuesday. “We’re going to follow the science. … We’re going to make the right decision. And in New York, no matter what you do, this is 8.8 million people and 30 million opinions, so you’re never going to satisfy New Yorkers, so you must go with the logic, your heart and the science.”

With the start of the MLB season approaching in April, there has been mounting pressure for Mayor Adams. Now, the New York Yankees and Mets will have their unvaccinated players for the start of their season in April along with the Nets having Irving for the playoffs.

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