Kyrie Irving's refusal to get vaccinated about 'what's best for me'

The Nets faced the Timberwolves Thursday night at Barclays Center in their last game of the preseason, but it was the first step in a long journey they are beginning without Kyrie Irving.

The Nets held a 16-point fourth-quarter lead but nearly blew it in garbage time with a cast of reserves in the game on their way to a 107-101 victory. Joe Harris led the Nets with 23 points, Kevin Durant added 19, and James Harden had 14 assists.

General manager Sean Marks announced on Tuesday that Irving is not allowed to practice or play with the Nets unless he becomes eligible for all games in New York by complying with the city’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The superstar guard reacted Wednesday with a 20-minute Instagram post in which he said he is unvaccinated and tried to explain his differences with the team.

"Nobody should be forced to do anything with their bodies," Irving said. "You only get one of these. If you choose to get vaccine, I support you. If you choose to be unvaccinated, I support you. Do what’s best for you. But that doesn’t mean to go around and start judging people for what they’re doing with their lives."

This marked the first time Irving had spoken publicly about his vaccine status. Last Friday, the city ruled the Nets’ HSS training facility is a private building, and Irving practiced with the team on Sunday. But he can’t attend games at Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden without proof he has received at least one dose of COVID vaccine.

Irving suggested he was caught off guard by the Nets’ move.

"What would you do if you felt uncomfortable going into the season when you were promised that you would have exemptions or that you didn’t have to be forced to get the vaccine?" Irving said.. "This wasn’t an issue before the season started. This wasn’t something I foresaw coming where I’m prepared for it and I had a chance to strategize on what was going to be best for me and my family. I came into the season thinking that I was going to be able to play ball."

Before the game, Nets coach Steve Nash was asked if he had any reaction to Irving’s remarks on Instagram.

"Honestly, I didn’t listen to it, and I’ve pretty much said everything I’ve had to say about it," Nash said. "If something changes, we’ll talk about it, but I really want to focus on moving forward and our group and solutions to the challenge ahead of us."

The Nets showed how explosive they can be during a 19-0 second-quarter run that gave them a 15-point lead. They hit five three-pointers in that stretch and went 15-of-36 (41.7%) from deep for the game.

Some 96% of NBA players have been vaccinated, but Irving said he is not among them. "It’s reality that, in order to be in New York City, in order to be on the team, I have to be vaccinated," Irving said. "I chose to be unvaccinated. And I would ask you all just to respect that choice…It’s about being true to what feels good for me."

After the game, Durant said he still hopes Irving rejoins the team.

"I wish none of this stuff would happen, but this is the situation we are in," Durant said. "Kyrie made his decision on what he wanted to do, and the team did the same. I want our whole team to be together…at full strength. I am still positive things will work out the best for both parties."

Meanwhile, Irving has portrayed himself as a champion for personal liberty.

"People are losing their jobs to these mandates, which I respect," he said. "It’s not politics…It’s just about the freedom of what I want to do."

By Greg Logan

Gregory.Logan@newsday.comGregLogan1

Greg Logan has worked for Newsday since 1982 covering a wide array of sports and events, currently including the Brooklyn Nets beat.