Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving made his comeback to the Barclays Center for the first time since being traded. In the Mavericks’ 119-107 victory over Brooklyn, Irving’s impressive 36-point performance raises questions about why he delivered one of his best showings at the Barclays Center while wearing an away uniform.
One fan’s inquiry to Kyrie resulted in an unexpected response: New York Mayor Eric Adams. After the fan asked for a second time, Irving replied, “You can thank Mayor Adams for that, my friend.”
Irving had engaged in multiple disputes with the mayor of New York City regarding vaccine mandates. Due to the city’s vaccination requirements, Irving was prohibited from participating in games or practices in New York during the 2021-22 season. Eventually, Brooklyn announced that Irving would return to the team as a part-time player for away games, excluding matches in Toronto and New York.
Although Adams eventually lifted the vaccine mandate for indoor activities, Irving remained barred from playing due to a separate workplace vaccine requirement that remained in effect. When asked to make an exception for the point guard, Adams expressed concerns about sending the wrong message to other employees within the city.
Throughout the 2021-22 season, Irving only appeared in 29 games, and he has played a total of 143 games over four seasons with Brooklyn. His extended absences, resulting from vaccine restrictions, injuries, and a suspension for sharing content related to an antisemitic film, ultimately led to the failure of the Nets’ Big Three. Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden played together on the Nets for a season and a half but only managed to appear in 16 games as a trio, winning 13 of them.
During Irving’s return to the Barclays Center, he was met with a mixture of boos and cheers. He was acknowledged alongside Seth Curry and Markeiff Morris. After the game, the three-time All-NBA point guard shared his thoughts on the varied reception through an undisclosed platform.
“I express my gratitude to GOD for everything,” Irving wrote. “I must remain composed amidst the chaos and negativity. The next generation is observing.”