Nash: Nets don't expect Kyrie to play home games

Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash has confronted the reality of not having Kyrie Irving in the lineup for home games this season.

Strict vaccine mandates in New York City mean Irving, who is unvaccinated, cannot participate in contests at Brooklyn's Barclay Center. From the sounds of it, Nash and the Nets are making plans for Irving's indefinite absence.

"I think we recognize he's not playing home games. We're going to have to for sure play without him this year," Nash told the New York Post's Brian Lewis.

"So it just depends on when, where, and how much."

Irving was cleared to take part in team practice after New York officials classified the Nets' training center as a private facility and not a public gym, and he was present Saturday at Brooklyn Bridge Park's Pier 2 for an outdoor session in front of 2,500 fans.

Vaccine mandates in the city would also prohibit Irving from playing against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

The 2011 first overall pick was not available for either of the Nets' preseason tuneups against the Los Angeles Lakers or Milwaukee Bucks and won't travel with the team for Monday's trip to face the Philadelphia 76ers, Nash confirmed. The Nets then host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday before opening the regular season in Milwaukee on Oct. 19.

The league announced in late September that players who are absent from games due to local vaccine mandates won't be paid for those contests. Irving risks losing out on $17.5 million this season.