Silver: 'I'm still hopeful Kyrie will get vaccinated'

Count NBA commissioner Adam Silver among the contingent of people who are hopeful Kyrie Irving will eventually get his COVID-19 vaccination.

During a press conference on Monday, Silver said getting the vaccine was a "public service of sorts" and "I'm still hopeful Kyrie will get vaccinated," according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

Irving's hesitancy to take the COVID shot has resulted in the Nets barring him from the team until he can be a full-time member.

Silver added he was fully in support of the rule New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles have in place that does not allow unvaccinated players to suit up for home games.

"I think it's perfectly appropriate that New York and other cities have passed laws that require people who both work and visit arenas, to be vaccinated," said Silver.

"Having the right to have an opinion on whether to get vaccinated is different than having a right to play NBA basketball."

While specific cities have vaccine mandates in place, there's no NBA-wide policy. The league's players' association has firmly stood against any such rule, though Silver said he would prefer the mandate be enforced.