The Charlotte Hornets were the Brooklyn Nets’ opponent when Kyrie Irving was first ineligible to appear in home games due to the New York City mandate against unvaccinated private sector employees on Oct. 24.
On Thursday, an exemption was granted for athletes and performers, a move that allows Irving to appear in home game. The guard makes his home debut Sunday night when Brooklyn hosts Charlotte in a pivotal matchup for seeding in the Eastern Conference.
Irving will play his 22nd game of the season but first at home since Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks on June 7. He injured his ankle in Game 4 in Milwaukee and was deemed ineligible for home games due to the mandate.
As for the Nets (39-35) they are 7-2 in their past nine games and 9-12 in games Irving has appeared in since his season debut Jan. 5. On Saturday, they cruised to a 110-95 win over the Miami Heat and did not need much from Irving, who scored 11 points and played 30 minutes.
Irving’s…