Sunday’s game between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets was basically secondary to what was going on between Kyrie Irving and the city of New York.
The city’s new vaccine rules allowed for Irving to return to the Barclays Center for the first time this season regardless of vaccination status. But the city still has a mandate in for the private sector, which means Irving can attend as a spectator but not as an employee of the Brooklyn Nets.
And that is exactly what he did.
Irving purchased courtside seats to watch his team play, arriving fashionably late toward the end of the second quarter, with everyone’s attention in the building falling on him as he made his entrance.
It was quite the spectacle, and he even greeted Nets owner Joe Tsai on his way to his seat. It drew everyone’s attention to how Irving could sit right on top of the court as a fan, but not be allowed to participate in the game as a player.
He even went into the locker room at halftime with the team.
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Nets team gear
Naturally it led to plenty of reaction on social media, from LeBron James and NBA fans, and even on ABC’s broadcast, with Doris Burke chiming in on the situation.
The last tweet is not necessarily true. Some felt little sympathy for Irving.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow Audacy Sports
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram