Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving said he has been “pinching” himself since New York City mayor Eric Adams lifted the private sector coronavirus vaccine mandate earlier this week for unvaccinated performers and athletes, which will allow Irving to play in home games this season.
Irving hasn’t appeared in uniform at the Barclays Center since Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals last season against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Nets play at Miami on Saturday and Irving is expected to play when they return home against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.
“Please take my comment seriously when I say I’ve been pinching myself since Wednesday and Thursday because there was a time where I got my hopes really, really high and all the air just got let out,” Irving said.
“I didn’t want to get too excited. Still tonight, I’m trying to stay focused on this game. But I know tomorrow will eventually come and I’m looking forward to playing back in Brooklyn.”
Irving has played 20 games this season; the Nets are 8-12 in those games.
Irving also said he is planning to sign an extension with the Nets this summer. He can opt in at $36.5 million for the 2022-23 season or opt-out and re-sign a max deal worth $246 million over five years.
“For me, it has always been about being comfortable and loving where I’m at. I love it here,” Irving said. “Once that summertime hits, I know we’ll have some conversations but there’s no way I could leave my man 7 (Kevin Durant) anywhere.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kyrie Irving ‘pinching myself’ now that he will can play in home games
