The choice not to take the vaccine has meant that Irving, who has an annual salary of SEK 320 million, was not allowed to play with the team, but the injury situation and ironically a covid-19 outbreak has thinned out the squad so Irving got his chance.
- Why not bring him into the team?
You could see the smile on his face and the energy he had from being back.
It's inspiring for all of us to have him back, Brooklyn coach Steve Nash said according to the AP.
The NBA has 97 percent of its players fully vaccinated, which means that about 15 have not taken the vaccine.
Not allowed to play at home in New York
Before tonight's game, Brooklyn had lost three straight games, all at home.
Irving can not do anything about it because he, as unvaccinated, is not allowed to play in New York according to the laws of that state.
But away he can still play.
Brooklyn will play seven of its eleven upcoming away games and in all of those away games, Irving can line up - if he is selected.
- I know about the consequences, I still know what they mean, but right now I take it day by day.
Right now I'm just happy to be able to play with the guys.
How it will look later in the season, I will come back to, says Irving.