Kyrie Irving is back.
After missing the first 35 games of the season, Irving is expected to make his season debut when the Nets travel to face the Pacers on Wednesday, January 5, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving is expected to make his season debut Wednesday on the road against the Indiana Pacers, sources say. @Athletic @Stadium. After missing the first 35 games of the Nets season, Irving has set himself a goal Wednesday for his return.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 3, 2023
Irving’s debut comes less than three weeks after the franchise announced that he would be allowed to rejoin the team part-time, meaning that he will practice with the team in his home market and participate only in away games.
After the initial statement from the Nets that they would not allow Irving’s involvement, were there any changes that led to him joining the team?
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Is Kyrie Irving vaccinated against COVID-19?
There have been no reports indicating that Irving’s vaccination status has changed, a notion supported by the fact that his season debut will come outside of Brooklyn and in an away game in Indiana.
Due to a New York City mandate regarding people not vaccinated against COVID-19, Irving cannot participate in games held at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center or Manhattan’s Madison Square Garden without being vaccinated. You are allowed to practice at the Nets practice facility, which is considered a private building.
MORE: Urgent Questions Kyrie Faces Before He Returns
In his first media appearance since rejoining the Nets, Irving alluded to remaining unvaccinated, saying “now we are here, and they were able to just support me in allowing me to be available for away games, that was the goal once this state mandate came in. It didn’t work in October, but now that we’re here, I pray that it works. “
A change in the city mandate or a change in Irving’s immunization status would result in its full availability.
Nets Remaining Away Game Schedules 2023-22
Following the announcement of Irving’s return, the Nets have 25 games left on the road. If Irving remains unvaccinated, he will be eligible to play in all but three of the team’s remaining road games: February 16 and April 6 for the Knicks and March 1 for the Raptors, as noted below.
Barring changes, Irving would not be able to speak if the Nets face one of the Knicks or Raptors in a playoff series.
| Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | National television |
| January 5 | in Pacers | 7:30 PM | |
| 12th of January | in Bulls | 10:00 PM | ESPN |
| January 17 | in the Cavaliers | 3:00 PM | |
| January 19 | in Wizards | 7:00 PM | |
| January 21st | on the Spurs | 8:30 PM | |
| January 23 | in Timberwolves | 8:00 PM | |
| January 29 | in Warriors | 8:30 PM | ABC |
| February 1st | in the suns | 10:00 PM | TNT |
| February 2nd | in Kings | 10:00 PM | |
| February 4th | in Jazz | 21:00 | |
| February 6th | on the nuggets | 3:00 PM | |
| Feb. 10 | in Wizards | 7:00 PM | |
| February 12 | in Heat | 8:00 PM | |
| February 16th | in the Knicks | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
| 26 of February | in bucks | 8:30 PM | ABC |
| March 1 | in Raptors | 7:30 PM | |
| 6th of March | in the celtics | 13:00 | ABC |
| March 8 | in Hornets | 7:00 PM | |
| March 10th | to the 76ers | 7:30 PM | TNT |
| March, 15th | in magic | 7:00 PM | |
| 23 of March | in Grizzlies | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
| March 26 | in Heat | 8:00 PM | NBA TV |
| April 2nd | in Hawks | 7:30 PM | |
| 6 of April | in the Knicks | 7:30 PM | ESPN |
| TBD | in Trail Blazers |
