Kyrie Irving is apparently on the way back to the Brooklyn Nets.
NBA Insider Shams Charania reported Friday afternoon that Irving "has started the process of ramping up and begun COVID-19 testing" in preparation for a return to the Nets, who would allow Irving to play in road games and practice at home when he was able to return.
Right around 7 p.m., the team confirmed that report, releasing the following statement attributed to general manager Sean Marks:
"After discussions with our coaches, players and staff, the organization has decided to have Kyrie Irving re-join the team for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate. We arrived at this decision with the full support of our players and after careful consideration of our current circumstances, including players missing games due to injuries and health and safety protocols. We believe that the addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to more optimally balance the physical demand on the entire roster. We look forward to Kyrie's return to the lineup, as well as getting our entire roster back together on the court."
Irving remains unvaccinated and cannot play in New York (or in Canada) with the Nets, but he can practice at home with the Nets, as their team facility is not considered a business required to follow NYC's vaccine mandates.
The Nets are 21-8 after Thursday's win over Philadelphia, but currently have seven players in COVID protocol. Add in Irving's absence and Joe Harris' injury, and the team had the NBA-minimum eight players active earlier in the week before signing Langston Galloway to a 10-day contract on Thursday.
Depending on how long it takes Irving to ramp up, there is also the chance that he could gain further eligibility if New York City's mayor-elect, current Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, makes any changes to COVID-19 restrictions once he takes office on January 1.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
