Seth Udinski, FISM News

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On Tuesday, Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks issued a statement regarding star guard and former NBA Finals champion Kyrie Irving, saying that the team has prohibited him from participating in any team activities until he has received the jab.

Irving is not inoculated, and because of New York City’s strict vaccine protocols, he is legally prohibited from entering the Nets’ facilities.

Marks said in an emergency press conference Tuesday,

My job here is to make what we deem as the best decision and best choices for the organization moving ahead as a whole. They’re not always ones that are going to be met with open arms and a thumbs-up. These are hard decisions. Just like I’m sure it wasn’t easy for Kyrie either to have to make that decision to not be around his teammates. Kyrie has made it clear he has a choice in this matter, and it’s ultimately going to be up to him what he decides. We respect the fact that he has a choice and he can make his own right to choose. Right now, what’s best for the organization is the path we are taking, and I don’t want to speak for Kyrie. At the right time, I’m sure he will address his feelings and what the path may be for him.

Irving missed Monday’s preseason game, and with the NBA season fast approaching, he will likely miss more. If Irving does not receive the jab, he will miss every Nets home game, along with two away games at Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks. He will also forfeit his $380,000 game check for each of these 43 contests in New York.

The NBA has continued to make it clear that Covid-19 inoculation will be necessary for participation, regardless of any possible health concerns or personal convictions against the vaccine. Now, one of the most celebrated stars in the league is barred from participation until he falls in line with the vaccine mandates.