WATCH: Kyrie Irving indirectly blames Mayor Eric Adams for poor show at the Nets reigniting the anti-vaccination suspension controversy as he gets heckled by Brooklyn fan
Kyrie Irving returned to Brooklyn for the first time after being traded last year to the Dallas Mavericks.

Kyrie Irving blamed Mayor Eric Adams as the reason for his inability to play in the Brooklyn Nets home games (Image via Courtside Nets/MayorEricAdams/X)
Kyrie Irving was a Brooklyn Nets player around this time last season. His trade to the Dallas Mavericks was a much-talked-about affair. Today marked his first game back in the city. Exactly a year later and still playing at his elite best, but for the Mavericks. This brought out some choice questions from a fan who was sitting courtside. Irving pointed the finger at Brooklyn Mayor Eric Adams. This is from a player who grew up a Nets fan.
Kyrie Irving was on the sidelines to throw a pass in bounds. He was waiting for the referee to give him the ball. During this time, a Nets fan asked Irving;
Kyrie why don't play like this when you were on the Nets? Why Kai?
To this, Irving answered in the most Kyrie Irving way he could. He said;
Thank Mayor Adams for that, bro.
The fan was disappointed by the answer. This answer baffled the fan as he could not retort to that statement. After all, Mayor Adams‘ decisions were one of the reasons why Irving could not play home games.
Kyrie Irving was against the COVID-19 vaccination rules the United States Government imposed. Moreover, the city of Brooklyn had made it mandatory for unvaccinated people to not engage in any outdoor activities. This automatically denied Irving the chance to play home games in Brooklyn. Irving could only contribute in away games for the Nets.
Mayor Eric Adams had come under criticism from Irving’s teammate Kevin Durant. Durant suggested that the mayor’s decision to stop Irving from playing was more of a political move. The entire saga surrounding Irving did not help him play his best ball for the Nets. Irving and Durant signed with the Nets to bring them a championship.
Kyrie Irving balled out on his return against his old club
The Dallas Mavericks had a topsy-turvy 2024 so far. The month of January brought their first monthly losing record of the year. For a team aiming at an NBA Championship, they had to improve the record this month. The Mavericks are currently 28-23 and 8th in the Western Conference. Not good enough for a run at the championship.

Irving, alongside his illustrious teammate Luka Doncic, dominated the game. Irving scored 36 points to lead the Mavericks to a 119-107 win. All with his friends and family watching from the stands. The Mavericks have one more road game before returning home.
The win was probably fruitful, especially from a personal front. After all, according to Irving, it was someone else who pushed him out of the team he loved.
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