Kyrie Irving Admits to Courtside Fans He Left Brooklyn Nets Over NY Vaccine Requirements: ‘Thank Mayor Adams for That’

Peter K. Afriyie/AP

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving told fans exactly who to blame for his departure from the Brooklyn Nets when he returned to town Tuesday.

Irving shined in the game, scoring a game-high 36 points to lead the team to a 119-107 win. It was his first time playing in Brooklyn since the Nets traded him to the Mavs just before the trade deadline in February 2023.

His tenure with the Nets was a tumultuous one. Throughout most of the 2021-22 season, Irving was unable to play in home games due to New York’s Covid-19 vaccine requirements. Irving remained unvaccinated.

The next season, Irving came under fire for sharing a link on Twitter to an anti-Semitic documentary. Irving was suspended by the team amid a wave of criticism from various Jewish organizations.

At one in Tuesday’s game, Irving was getting ready to trow the ball inbounds. One courtside fan took his phone out to ask Irving a question and record it.

“Kyrie, why didn’t you play like this when you were on the Nets?” the fan said. “Why, Ky?”

Irving, never one to hold back his thoughts, placed the blame squarely on New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He was likely referring to the vaccine restrictions that cost him nearly half a season.

“Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro,” Kyrie told the fan.

Kyrie Irving, the unvaccinated NBA star, played against his former team, the Brooklyn Nets, and scored 36 points.

When a fan questioned why he didn’t perform like this during his time with the Nets, Kyrie responded, “You can thank Mayor Adams for that.”

His statement reflects… pic.twitter.com/c3618E0VfV

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) February 7, 2024

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