The Brooklyn Nets are one step closer to being at full strength. Kyrie Irving has been cleared to play in home games.
With the playoffs just a few weeks away, the Brooklyn Nets just got news that should help them in their pursuit of winning an NBA championship.
In what was bound to happen, New York City Mayor Eric Adams has paved the way for Kyrie Irving to return to playing in home games. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Kyrie (and all other unvaccinated individuals) will now be eligible to play in home games starting later this week.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams will level the playing field for in-town athletes and performers to match the rule that allows unvaccinated individuals to perform in NYC, sources familiar with the situation tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Now, NYC local athletes will have the same guidelines. https://t.co/Hsj5SRBclM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2022
With the latest news, Kyrie is expected to make his home debut for the Nets this weekend when Brooklyn returns to the Barclays Center. After missing the entire first half of the season, and then the last couple of months of home games, the Nets finally have their dynamic duo full-go.
Kyrie Irving is eligible to make his home debut at Barclays Center on Sunday vs. the Charlotte Hornets, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. New NYC exemption for in-town athletes and performers will be effective immediately beginning Thursday.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 23, 2022
This is a huge step and should help the Nets’ chances in the postseason – and they’ll have an uphill battle to face as a bottom two seed in the conference. Currently, the Nets are the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference. And with roughly just 10 games remaining, it will be tough for the Nets to catch the Cleveland Cavaliers for the 6th seed – they’re three games ahead.
Brooklyn will likely have to play their way into the postseason via the Play-In Tournament, but will the return of Kyrie as a full-time player, that should be a doable task.
Of course, there is still another shoe to drop.
The Nets are still holding out hope for a Ben Simmons debut at some point this season, even if it may seem unlikely at this point. Even if the Nets aren’t able to get Simmons back, however, the duo of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant will be tough for any team to beat in a seven-game series.