Kyrie Irving: NBA fines Brooklyn Nets $50,000 for allowing player to enter team locker room

CNN Sport staff

Updated 0947 GMT (1747 HKT) March 15, 2022

Kyrie Irving watches his teammates courtside against the New York Knicks.

(CNN)The NBA has fined the Brooklyn Nets organization $50,000 for allowing Kyrie Irving into the team's locker room on Sunday.

Irving, who is unvaccinated against Covid-19, is unable to play in the team's home games due to New York City's workplace vaccine mandate but is allowed to attend home games as a spectator.Irving was in attendance courtside for the team's 110-107 victory over the New York Knicks at Barclays Center in New York on Sunday, and the NBA says the Nets were fined for «violating local New York City law and league health and safety protocols.»According the ESPN's Malika Andrews, Irving purchased the courtside seats.In a statement released on Monday, Nets star forward Kevin Durant expressed his appreciation for New York Mayor Eric Adams' efforts after critiquing him and the city's vaccination mandate on Sunday.Read More«The 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,» the statement read. «I do appreciate the task the Mayor has in front of him with all the city has been through. My frustration with the situation doesn't change the fact that I will always be committed to helping the communities and cities I live in, and play in.»Durant previously said he didn't «get» the current mandate and said «it feels like somebody's trying to make a statement or a point to flex their authority.»«But everybody out here is looking for attention, and that's what I feel the mayor wants right now is some attention,» Durant added. «He'll figure it out soon. He better.»READ: Bismack