The NBA has fined the Nets after the team let unvaccinated Kyrie Irving into the locker room.
On top of that, Kevin Durant appears to have been chastened after he called out mayor Eric Adams in support of his friend and teammate.
On Monday, the league fined the franchise $50,000 for allowing Irving into the teamās locker room during a halftime game against the Knicks at the Barclays Center.
Shortly after, Durant released a statement clarifying his critique of Adams, the New York Post reported.
It’s somewhat puzzling that Irving is permitted to attend home games now that the cityās indoor vaccine mandate was dropped but he still can’t play. However, he attended his first home game of the season.
The NBA slapped the Nets with a fine for āviolating local New York City law and league health and safety protocolsā after they let Irving come from his courtside seat into the locker room.
Since the mandate requires employers to see that their workforce ensures everyone is vaccinated, the NBA fined the Nets and not the player.
Following Durantās stellar performance–he scored 53 points–the former MVP called out the mayor for not repealing the mandate that currently bars Irving from playing but somehow permits him to enter the arena and sit courtside all while allowing unvaccinated foes to play.
āYeah, I donāt get it,ā Durant said after the win. āBut at this point now, it feels like somebodyās trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority. But everybody out here is looking for attention, and thatās what I feel the mayor wants right now is some attention. Heāll figure it out soon. He better.”
āBut it just didnāt make any sense. Itās unvaxxed people in this building already. Weāve got a guy who can come into the building, I guess are they fearing our safety? I donāt get it. Weāre all confused. Everybody in the world is confused at this point. Earlier on in the season, people didnāt understand whatās going on, but now it just looks stupid. So hopefully, Eric, youāve gotta figure this out.ā
On Monday, Durant added to his statement, saying āThe last two years have been a difficult and painful time for New Yorkers, as well as a very confusing time with the changing landscape of the rules and mandates. I do appreciate the task the Mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through,ā said Durant, who was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. āMy frustration with the situation doesnāt change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities I live in and play in.ā