Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant opened up on All-Star guard Kyrie Irving’s absence from the team.
Irving has not been at the team’s practices ahead of the 2021-22 season because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19.
New York City’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate won’t allow Irving to play in home games or attend team practices until he has received at least one vaccination shot.
Kevin Durant on Kyrie Irving's absence: "I'm envisioning Kyrie being a part of our team. Maybe I'm just naïve, but that's just how I feel. But everybody here has that confidence in themselves and our group, that if we keep doing it we can do something special.” #Nets #NBA
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) October 6, 2021
Last season, Irving averaged 26.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from 3-point range.
The Nets would surely love to have Irving available for every single game this season. Brooklyn could turn to veteran Patty Mills if Irving has to miss games throughout the season.
Brooklyn was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season by the Milwaukee Bucks, but it is hoping a healthy roster will take it to the NBA Finals in the 2021-22 season.
