Kyrie Irving has shed new light on his tumultuous tenure with the Brooklyn Nets, revealing that the conflict over his COVID-19 vaccination status escalated to him demanding his release from the team.
Speaking on a recent Twitch stream, Irving detailed his frustration with the pressure he faced from the organization and partners regarding New York City’s 2021 vaccine mandate. “Even the people that I was in business with were pro-vaccine,” Irving said. “And I’m like, ‘Okay look, that’s fine, just leave me the f— out of this, let me go somewhere.’ I even told the Nets to release me.”
He acknowledged the financial complexity of his request, adding, “Obviously the money situation is a different situation… they weren’t just going to let me clock out and go somewhere.”
The dispute stemmed from a New York City mandate that required professional athletes to be vaccinated to play in their home venues. Irving’s refusal to comply led the Nets to suspend him, causing him to miss the first 35 games of the season and forfeit an estimated $380,000 per game.
His prolonged absence significantly impacted the team’s championship aspirations, disrupting on-court chemistry and placing a heavier burden on his co-stars, Kevin Durant and James Harden.
At the time, Nets General Manager Sean Marks commented on the difficult decision. “He has a choice to make, and he made his choice,” Marks said. “My job here is to make what we deem as the best decision and best choices for the organization moving ahead as a whole. These are hard decisions. Just like I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Kyrie either.”
Irving maintained that his stance was not about being for or against the vaccine, but rather about upholding his personal freedom and beliefs against a mandate.
He eventually returned to the court for road games only, playing in 29 contests that season and averaging 27.4 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds. However, the Nets’ disjointed season ended in a first-round playoff sweep by the Boston Celtics. Irving was traded to the Dallas Mavericks the following season.
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