CLEVELAND – The Brooklyn Nets point guard, Kyrie Irving, has insisted that the injury of teammate Kevin Durand does not change his stance on refusing the COVID-19 vaccine.

Irving, who recently returned to action after a stalemate over the vaccination regime, said Monday after the Nets’ defeat by the Cleveland Cavaliers that he had no plans to be vaccinated – and that nothing would convince him.

“This is the decision I made and I do not change my mind,” Irving said.

The point guard, who played in seven All-Star Games, became the target of many because of this choice. Due to sanitary measures in New York regarding amphitheaters, Irving can not play in home games.

His decision to remain unvaccinated has a dramatic impact on the Nets’ ability to claim the NBA championship. It was something that seemed certain when the club acquired Irving, Durant and James Harden.

With Durant likely out for six weeks with a knee injury on Saturday, Irving was asked if he felt more pressure to take a shot.

Irving made it clear that he was not pressured to act.

“It will not happen to me,” he said.

“I am not trying to convince anyone of anything. And although we have to deal with Kev’s injury right now, I know the organization is protecting me. I am protected by my teammates. I am protected by the doctors I spoke to. »

Irving led the Nets with 27 points in the 114-107 defeat by the Cavaliers. It was his fourth game of the season for the Nets, who have struggled with injuries – and other distractions – since grabbing Harden to play with Irving and Durand.