Mike Krzyzewski discusses situation surrounding Kyrie Irving

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski has love for his former players, including Kyrie Irving. The Brooklyn Nets star has been a big topic of conversation among NBA media and fans this season for his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

Because of the New York City vaccine mandate, Irving is unable to participate in Nets home games at the Barclays Center. With the Blue Devils set to play at Barclays next month in the ACC Tournament, Coach K offered his thoughts on Irving’s stance.

“I love Kyrie and he should follow his heart in what he’s doing and figure out how that impacts the group that he’s with,” Mike Krzyzewski said in an interview with NJ.com. “Then you make decisions on what you feel is right, what you feel the group needs. So I hope that that’s what takes place but I’ll be behind him all the way.”

Irving, who spent one season at Duke before becoming the No. 1 pick in 2011, did not play his first NBA game this season until Jan. 5. Over 14 games so far, he is averaging 24.1 points and 5.4 assists. The guard will only be eligible for eight of Brooklyn’s remaining 26 regular season games.

But even with the playoffs getting closer, he hasn’t changed his mind.

“I still wish I could be out there at home,” Irving said. “Some people say it’s as simple as go get this, go get the shot. It’s not as simple as that. … I’m still praying for a better outcome.”

Brooklyn (29-27) once sat atop the Eastern Conference this season, but has since fallen all the way down to eighth. The team recently traded star James Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Andre Drummond. Reports indicated that Harden had grown frustrated with the Irving situation, though Nets star Kevin Durant said the team doesn’t want to use Irving as an “easy scapegoat.”

Kyrie Irving helped lead Duke to a Sweet Sixteen appearance under Mike Krzyzewski in 2011. Since entering the NBA, he has been named to seven All-Star teams and won a championship with Cleveland in 2016. If the Nets are able to have him for all of their games, it would certainly boost their chances of a deep playoff run.

The star guard will once again sit out the Nets next contest against Sacramento set for 7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday.