Kyrie Irving cleared to train in Brooklyn, Kevin Durant says Nets “want him here for everything”

NEW YORK – Brooklyn Nets goalie Kyrie Irving will be able to train in New York without getting a COVID-19 shot, as first reported by The Athletic. Irving hasn’t taken part in any of the Nets’ training sessions since returning from training camp in San Diego last week, but in the future, the training center will be considered a private office building, allowing him to return work in Brooklyn on non-game days.

“My first thought is it’s positive,” said Nets coach Steve Nash. “We have him in the squad for a longer period of our season, and we’ll see what happens.”

Nash said so shortly before Brooklyn’s preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday, his first at the Barclays Center. Irving has been banned from playing in the game or even being in the arena, according to city regulations, and there is no indication that is about to change. Nash said he thinks Irving will “probably” be with the team for the Nets’ open practice at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Saturday, and it is “hopefully even more likely” that he will join his teammates for it. Sunday practice. He’s eligible to play when Brooklyn visits the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, but he won’t necessarily be in uniform.

“Looks like we might have Kyrie on the road with us, but I’m not sure he’ll play since we haven’t seen him in a week,” Nash said. “And, obviously, safety first. We’ll make sure he doesn’t run a huge risk of injury. But there’s a lot to do. I mean, we’re just getting information along with you, then we’ll ‘I’ll see.’

Joe Harris of Brooklyn said Irving’s return to training would be a “huge boost.”

“At least he can train,” said Nets forward Kevin Durant. “But, I mean, we want him here for everything. We want it here for games, home games, practices, away games, shootarounds, all that, so I hope we find a solution. “

Earlier this week, ESPN reported that the Nets were losing hope that Irving would be vaccinated before the start of the season. Prior to this new move, that meant Irving would effectively be separated from the squad for long periods of time, including a six-game home stint near the start of the regular season, if he didn’t get the shot. This is no longer the case.

“We can’t wait to have him,” Nash said.

In this case, “having it” does not mean “having it all the time”. If Irving doesn’t get the shot, he can only be a part-time player, as he’ll have to miss their 41 games at Barclays Center and two at Madison Square Garden.

“I’m not sure exactly what the plan is at the moment,” Durant said. “I’m sure they’re still making decisions.”

Irving attended training camp in San Diego, but did not speak to the media. He has not spoken to reporters since pleading for confidentiality and refusing to speak about his vaccine status or eligibility in a virtual appearance for the Nets on Media Day on September 28.

“For now, please just respect my privacy regarding everything to do with the home games, what’s going on, the shots,” Irving said. “Please.”

The NBA regular season begins on October 19 with a clash between defending champions Bucks and Nets in Milwaukee. Irving will be cleared to play whether or not he’s vaccinated by then, but that won’t be the case for Brooklyn’s home opener against the Charlotte Hornets on October 24.

“I really don’t know what to say other than it’s positive that he can now join his teammates in our training facility and train,” said Nash. “And that gives us more points of contact with him. And we’ll go from there.”