On March 25, Beijing time, New York Mayor Eric Adams officially announced that professional athletes and performers are allowed to obtain (vaccine) exemptions in the workplace, so Irving was officially allowed to participate in home games, the NBA and the NBPA issued a statement at the first time, and the Nets owner spoke domineeringly.
Looking back at Irving's history of being allowed to play at home:
Last offseason, due to Irving's refusal to be vaccinated, and could not train normally with the team, only participated in one outdoor team training; before the start of the regular season, on October 13 last year, the Nets announced an indefinite ban on Irving, so they missed 29 consecutive games; on December 18 last year, under the impact of the team's record and the epidemic, the Nets announced Irving's return and part-time play.
On January 6 this year, Irving officially returned, away to the Pacers to usher in the season debut, but can only play in away games; in March, Irving qualified to watch at home, and today, Irving finally qualified for the home game, officially became a full-time player, full-time teaming up with Durant to help the Nets to attack the championship.
After Irving was allowed to play in the home game, the NBA and NBA Players Union issued a joint statement saying that 97 percent of the league's players have been vaccinated and 75 percent of teams have been vaccinated with fortified shots, and we support the New York Mayor's decision, and we applaud the Mayor's listening to the advice of New York teams, players, fans, and the community, which has leveled the playing field for New York teams and their opponents.
Unvaccinated NBA players will continue to be tested daily.
Nets owner Cai Chongxin spoke out domineeringly, tweeting: Let's work together to restore jobs and the New York economy!
The Nets are currently eighth in the East with 38 wins and 35 losses, and with the last nine games left in the regular season, Irving can play; so far this season, Irving has played in 20 games, averaging 28.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game; in the last four games, Irving has slashed 175 points and shot 62% from the field, compared to Jordan and Curry, becoming the third player to achieve such an achievement since 1990.
According to the schedule, the Nets will play the Hornets at home on March 28, which will be Irving's season debut at Barclays Center.