Even though he's not vaccinated against the coronavirus, Kyrie Irving is now eligible to play in home games for the Brooklyn Nets.
Irving was unable to play at the Barclays Center for the majority of the season because of New York City's regulations surrounding persons unvaccinated for COVID-19. However, New York City recently created an exception to its private-sector coronavirus mandate. Now, any local athlete or performer can work in the city regardless of their vaccination status.
Since this exception was put in place, Irving has played in two of Brooklyn's home games. His ability to play at home is huge for the Nets as they need to string together some wins if they want to clinch a spot in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Nets have six more games left and Irving is eligible to play in all of them. Brooklyn is currently in eighth place, two games back of the Cavaliers and just a half-game up on the Hornets. After losing the head-to-head season series, the Nets need to stay ahead of the Hornets if they want to hold on to eighth and assure themselves of two chances to make the playoffs via the Play-In Tournament. Brooklyn can pull within one game of Cleveland with a win vs. Milwaukee and a loss by the Cavaliers who are playing on the second night of a back-to-back in Atlanta.
Here is everything you need to know for watching Nets vs. Bucks on Thursday.
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Is Kyrie Irving playing tonight?
Irving will play against the Bucks on Thursday, March 31.
The matchup with Milwaukee will only be Irving's third home game this season. The Nets are 1-1 at home with Irving in the lineup. Overall, the Nets are 17-20 at home this season.
What channel is Nets vs. Jazz on?
- TV channel (USA): TNT
- TV channel (Brooklyn): YES Network
- TV channel (Milwaukee): N/A
- TV channel (Canada): Sportsnet
In the United States, Nets vs. Bucks will air nationally on TNT. Viewers in Canada can watch Nets. vs. Bucks on Sportsnet
Nets vs. Bucks start time
- Date: Thursday, March 31
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET | 4:30 p.m. PT
Nets vs. Bucks is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. The game will tip-off shortly after the scheduled start time.
Tracking Kyrie Irving's games played
Irving made his season debut on Jan. 5, 2022. In the time since, Irving has appeared in all 16 road games for which he has been eligible to play.
| Date | Opponent | Result | PTS | REB | AST |
| Jan. 5 | at Pacers | W | 22 | 3 | 4 |
| Jan. 10 | at Trail Blazers | L | 22 | 8 | 4 |
| Jan. 12 | at Bulls | W | 9 | 4 | 3 |
| Jan. 17 | at Cavaliers | L | 27 | 7 | 9 |
| Jan. 19 | at Wizards | W | 30 | 3 | 7 |
| Jan. 21 | at Spurs | W | 24 | 3 | 4 |
| Jan. 23 | at Timberwolves | L | 30 | 6 | 5 |
| Jan. 29 | at Warriors | L | 32 | 8 | 7 |
| Feb. 1 | at Suns | L | 26 | 4 | 3 |
| Feb. 2 | at Kings | L | 14 | 3 | 1 |
| Feb. 4 | at Jazz | L | 15 | 3 | 6 |
| Feb. 6 | at Nuggets | L | 27 | 5 | 11 |
| Feb. 10 | at Wizards | L | 31 | 5 | 6 |
| Feb. 12 | at Heat | L | 29 | 5 | 5 |
| Feb. 26 | at Bucks | W | 38 | 5 | 5 |
| Mar. 6 | at Celtics | L | 19 | 4 | 6 |
| Mar. 8 | at Hornets | W | 50 | 3 | 6 |
| Mar. 10 | at 76ers | W | 22 | 4 | 5 |
| Mar. 15 | at Magic | W | 60 | 6 | 4 |
| Mar. 23 | at Grizzlies | L | 43 | 2 | 8 |
| Mar. 26 | at Heat | W | 11 | 4 | 6 |
| Mar. 27 | Hornets | L | 16 | 2 | 11 |
| Mar. 29 | Pistons | W | 24 | 1 | 4 |
Through 23 games, Irving is averaging 27.0 points, 5.7 assists and 4.3 rebounds on 47.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from 3-point range.
The Nets are 10-13 with Irving in the lineup this season.
Nets remaining schedule 2021-22
As it stands, Irving is eligible to play in all of Brooklyn's final six games.
| Date | Opponent | Time | National TV | Is Kyrie Eligible? |
| March 31 | vs. Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT | Yes |
| April 2 | at Hawks | 7:30 p.m. | NBA TV | Yes |
| April 5 | vs. Rockets | 7:30 p.m. | – | Yes |
| April 6 | at Knicks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN | Yes |
| April 8 | vs. Cavaliers | 7:30 p.m. | – | Yes |
| April 10 | vs. Pacers | TBD | – | Yes |