Kyrie Irving ‘rooted’ in decision not to get vaccine despite Durant injury

Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving insists an injury to teammate Kevin Durant won’t change his stance on not getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

Irving, who only recently returned to action after a drawn-out stalemate over getting vaccinated, said on Monday following a loss to the Cavaliers that he has no intention of getting the shot and nothing will sway him.

“That’s my decision already, and I’m standing on it,” Irving said.

The seven-time All-Star has become a lightning rod of sorts for his decision not to get the vaccine. And due to Covid-19 mandates in New York City concerning public arenas, Irving is not permitted to play in home games.

His decision to remain unvaccinated is having a dramatic impact on the Nets and their ability to contend for an NBA championship, something that almost seemed assured when the team landed Irving, Durant and James Harden. With Durant potentially sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury suffered Saturday, Irving was asked if he’s feeling more pressure to get vaccinated. Irving made it clear he has not been moved to act.

“That’s what I think comes into a lot of this culture and basketball and sport and entertainment,” Irving said. “You bring in teams and you bring in situations. Kev’s going to heal. Kev’s going to be OK, and we’re going to have to deal with that as his teammates.

“But in terms of where I am with my life outside of this, I stay rooted in my decision and that’s just what it is. It’s not going to be swayed just because of one thing is this NBA life that somehow it’s brought to my attention to being more important than what’s going on in the real world. It’s just not happening for me.”

Irving scored a team-high 27 points in Brooklyn’s 114-107 loss to the Cavaliers. It was just