NYC vaccine mandate won't change, Kyrie remains out for home games

It appears Brooklyn Nets point guard Kyrie Irving won't be able to suit up this season unless he gets vaccinated.

New York mayor-elect Eric Adams told CNN he won't revisit the city's current vaccine mandate upon taking office Jan. 1.

"New York City is not going to change their rule, and again, it's up to the NBA and Kyrie to come to an understanding on how to keep him on the Nets," Adams said, per the New York Daily News' Kristian Winfield.

Adams previously said he was looking to revisit the mandate, which sparked speculation Irving could potentially return later this season. Nets head coach Steve Nash said the 29-year-old would've been "welcome back" had the mandate been lifted.

New York's mandate currently prohibits employees at certain indoor venues, including the Barclays Center, from working unless vaccinated. It's kept Irving sidelined for the duration of the season. While he's eligible to participate in practices and road games, the Nets decided to keep their star floor general away from the team until he can be a "full-time participant."