NYC could lift mandate, inching Kyrie Irving closer to court / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports Credit Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Kyrie Irving's possible return to games in New York City may inch closer in the next week.

Points this season

47%111,0Points made:111,0Accuracy:46,6%Place in standings:11Record max:138Record min:91Best scorer:Kevin DurantTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Irving, who is in his third season with the Brooklyn Nets, has refused to get vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19. That has left him out of action in city venues, most notably the Brooklyn Nets' home arena, Barclays Center, because of the city's mandate that people in public gatherings must be vaccinated.

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Sunday in a tweet that New York City will lift the mandate on March 7. But he added that a "private sector mandate" could still prevent Irving from playing.

That mandate, which took effect Dec. 27, states that "all employees at private sector businesses must have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine."

Conceivably, Irving could attend games at Barclays as a spectator, though not suit up.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who took office at the beginning of the year, has expressed strong interest in getting the mandates lifted.

Irving was approved to return and play in road games by the Nets on Dec. 17. In 15 games this season, he's averaging 25.1 points and 5.3 assists per game.

The Nets have 21 games left this season, 12 of them at Barclays Center. They have lost 13 of their last 16 games.

At 32-29, they are eighth in the Eastern Conference, meaning they would have to take part in play-in games to earn a spot in the postseason. They entered Sunday 3 1/2 games behind the sixth-place Boston Celtics, who hold the last qualifying spot that wouldn't require a play-in.

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