Duke basketball star gearing up for improbable return

A Duke basketball star is getting ready to remarkably return to the court. 

No one knew when Kyrie Irving would take the court once again, but that day is drawing closer as the Duke basketball star has returned to the Brooklyn Nets.

Irving was preparing to be a part-time player for the Nets this season as New York City has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all of its workers, including professional basketball players.

The former Blue Devil is not vaccinated, and the team told him prior to the start of the regular season to not return to the team unless he gets vaccinated or the city changes its mandate.

ALSO READ: Duke continues to be sidelined amid virus outbreak

However, in the midst of a rise in positive tests across the NBA, and within the Brooklyn franchise, the team told Irving he can return and only play in road games this season.

Upon his return to the team, Irving immediately tested positive for COVID-19. He was placed in the health and safety protocols before getting the clearance to return to practice this week.

Kyrie Irving met with the media on Thursday for the first time since Brooklyn Nets Media Day in October and said he knew what the consequences would be of him refusing to get vaccinated but that he was not prepared to deal with the consequences of watching games at home.

When could Duke basketball star play in a game?

Given the fact that Kyrie Irving needs time to get conditioned to playing in a game, it could be a couple of days before he laces up his sneakers with the Nets.

Brooklyn’s next road game comes on January 5 against the Indiana Pacers, and its following contest away from New York is on January 12 against the Chicago Bulls.

ALSO READ: Duke thrives after finally debuting new lineup

The team will have 11 road games between January 17 and February 12.

Irving’s return should cement the status of the Nets as the Eastern Conference favorites and one of the top contenders for the NBA Championship.