Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving excited to finally play in home games this season

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The New York City mandate that prevented unvaccinated athletes from playing in home games has been lifted, and Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving had to keep pinching himself to make sure it was real.

Irving has not been able to play in home games this season because of the mandate being lifted.

Please take my comment seriously when I say I have been pinching myself since Wednesday and Thursday because there was a time when I was really, really high.

I didn't want to get too excited. I am trying to stay focused on this game. I am looking forward to playing in Brooklyn again.

With the mandate issue behind him, Irving began to think about what could be for him and his teammates in the Brooklyn organization.

Irving said that he signed up for this for the long run. I am grateful. It has not been a typical year. When I look at my teammates, I look at what we have. I want the long run and what we can do.

Irving has a player option for next season. Irving could sign a five-year, $246 million extension if he declined the player option.

It has always been about loving where I am and being comfortable. Irving said that there was no way he could leave his man 7 anywhere.

Kevin Durant is No. 7. Brooklyn signed Irving and Durant in 2019.

Irving said that the team wants to build a legacy and have something sustainable. We are going to do our best.

The Nets play the Heat in Miami on Saturday night before traveling to Brooklyn to play the Hornets on Sunday. It will be the first home game for Irving since June 7, when he faced Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Irving said that he was appreciative of Adams for lifting the mandate, but still felt there was more to be done.

It has never been about me, Irving said. I don't think it's talked about enough about our essential workers and people on the front lines. The whole community of us want to stand together.

On Friday, he told reporters that he was happy with the situation.

It is an exciting time for Brooklyn Nets fans and New York Knicks fans to see one of their own back on the floor. It means a lot to our team, happy to have him back, and looking forward to the rest of the season.

The Nets are three games back of the Raptors in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. Brooklyn has a half game lead on the Hornets and a 1 game lead on the Hawks.

The Nets are hoping that having Irving in the lineup full-time will help them in their final nine games.

Every game has felt important for the last 20 games. Being in and out has not helped in terms of continuity and guys being in and out of the lineup. Irving thinks it will give us some consistency, which will hopefully get us out of this do or die mentality.

We are in the 8th spot and we are picked to be a contender. If that is not a true testament to the talent we have on this team, I don't know what is. I appreciate it. It takes a little bit longer to build that continuity and we are using these games and practice time but we are just gonna put our best foot forward and live with the results.