(New York) The NBA fined the Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for letting Kyrie Irving into their locker room during a game against the Knicks.
Posted at 8:36 p.m.
Unvaccinated and therefore ineligible to play in New York, Irving was a spectator at Barclays Center on Sunday, taking his place not far from the bench.
Fans no longer need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the home of the Nets or Knicks. This is still required for the people working there, however.
Irving was therefore there as a spectator – like the day before, during an NCAA game.
After the Nets beat the Knicks, he left for the locker room with Kevin Durant, who scored 53 points that night.
On Monday, the NBA said the Nets violated New York law and league protocol regarding the pandemic by letting Irving into the locker room.
Unlike the stands, the dressing room is considered part of the team’s working environment.
In the postgame interview, Durant asked Mayor Eric Adams to change the requirement, calling it “ridiculous” that unvaccinated people could be in the arena but not play there.
Coach Steve Nash admitted that Irving was in the locker room during the half break.
On Monday, the Nets released a statement in which Durant said:
“The past two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with changes to rules and requirements,” Durant said.
“I appreciate the task the mayor has ahead of him, with everything the city has been through.
“My frustration with the situation does not change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities in which I live and play. »
Brooklyn will play again Tuesday night in Orlando.