Nets’ Kyrie Irving standing firm on unvaxxed commitment: ‘I stay rooted in my decision’

Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving said Monday he was standing by his decision to be unvaccinated against COVID-19 even as Kevin Durant is set to miss over a month with a knee injury.

Irving is unable to play games at the Barclays Center due to his vaccination status. The Nets activated him in December so that he can play road games. Irving had 27 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in the team’s 114-107 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“That’s what I feel like ends up coming into a lot of this culture of basketball and sports and entertainment is you bring in the team, and you bring in situations that we’re in and Kevin. Kev’s gonna heal. Kev’s gonna be OK, and we’re gonna have to deal with that as his teammates, but in terms of where I am with my life outside of this, I stay rooted in my decision, and that’s just what it is,” Irving said, via the New York Daily News.

“I just am standing rooted in what I believe in and though we’re dealing with this right now with Kev. I just know that I’m protected by the organization, protected by my teammates. I’m protected by all the doctors I’ve talked to, and I’m just staying rooted.”

Irving suggested he was keeping his basketball life and his life off the court separated. He said his decision to stay unvaccinated was about “making a choice with my life.” – READ MORE