Kyrie Irving is back in the lineup for the Brooklyn Nets for the first time this season due to his decision to go unvaccinated for COVID-19.

Irving’s status bars him from playing home games due to New York City’s vaccination mandate for those who work indoors. Now, he’s back with the team for road games where similar vaccine mandates aren’t enforced. Irving can give the Nets a much-needed boost as James Harden still comes into form. Despite not playing their best basketball this season, the Nets are still in second place in the Eastern Conference. Adding Irving back into the mix can only solidify their current place in the standings or even move them past scrappy Chicago Bulls.