BROOKLYN — Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving will not attend the team’s media day at Barclays Center on Monday because of New York City COVID-19 protocols, sources told ESPN.
He is expected to travel with the team to San Diego later Monday and participate in the team’s training camp this week.
Last month, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio issued an executive order that required pro athletes to show proof of at least one vaccine shot to practice or play in the city.
Last week, Nets general manager Sean Marks indicated that not all of the team’s players have met that requirement, but he expected the team to be in compliance by the opening of the season next month.
When teammate Kevin Durant was asked whether he was concerned about Irving’s availability at home games, the forward said he didn’t expect it to be an issue.
“That’s on Kyrie, and that’s his personal decision,” said Durant. “What he does is not on us to speculate what may happen, but we trust in Kyrie, and I expect us to have our whole team at some point.”
The Nets’ first preseason game in Brooklyn is Oct. 8.