The Nets are arguably the team most affected by the pandemic so far this season, mainly because Kyrie Irving's refusal to vaccinate him has prevented him from playing in the home game.
According to the mayor of New York, he will end New York's regulations on epidemic prevention in indoor public places, although this is a good start, but it does not mean that Irving can return to play for the Nets. Because the epidemic prevention regulations will reportedly still apply to "staff and employees", which also includes professional athletes in New York:
Simply put, if Irving still refuses to be vaccinated, he won't be able to play home games for the Rest of the season, including the playoffs.
According to SNY reporter Ian Begley, Irving's vaccine stance and inability to play in the home game are also important reasons why James Harden chose to leave the Nets:
"According to sources, the possibility of playoffs against the Raptors was one of the reasons James Harden was concerned about the status of Irving's vaccine earlier this season, as you know, Harden forced the Nets to push the 76ers forward the trade before the trade deadline."
The reason Harden wanted to leave the Rockets and join the Nets that year was to join Durant and Irving and impact the championship trophy, and under Irving's vaccine stance and the Nets' injury problems, Harden could not see that the Nets had better competitiveness and chose to leave is also reasonable.
For the Nets, Irving's vaccine stance will remain their biggest obstacle to the championship this season, even if Kevin Durant can make a healthy comeback and still have a good form.