Kyrie Irving, No. 11 of the Brooklyn Nets, appears during the game against the Washington Wizards on February 1, 2020 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images)
Ned Dishman / NBAE via Getty Images
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has been fined $ 50,000 for violating Covid-19 protocols, the National Basketball Association announced Friday.
NBA league operations president Byron Spruell made the decision, after Irving was seen at a “private indoor party” last weekend without a mask. His presence violated NBA rules that prohibit players from “attending indoor social gatherings of 15 or more people or entering bars, lounges, clubs, or similar establishments.”
Irving, who the Nets will pay $ 33 million for this season, will lose his salary for the games he lost during his quarantine period. Although Irving has played in the Nets’ last five games, he is only berthed for two games and has to give up more than $ 400,000 per game.
The NBA said Irving could return Saturday if he clears league protocols.
The Covid-19 outbursts have hit the NBA hard this week, forcing the League to postpone numerous games since Monday, including Saturday’s Indiana Pacers contest against the Chicago Bulls. The league also released its latest pandemic testing report, noting that 16 new players tested positive.
To help combat outbreaks, the NBA tightened Covid-19 protocols to require more masks in team areas and issued a two-week home stay policy. Players and team personnel must remain at their residence while in local markets outside of team activities at training sites or arenas.
In addition to the possible return of Irving, the Nets will also welcome James Harden to the club. The team switched to Harden in four-team traction Wednesday.