An upbeat Brooklyn Nets came into their game against the Pheonix Suns on Saturday having won 12 of their 14 fixtures, knowing they would remain atop the Eastern conference regardless the result.

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What’s staggering is that the team managed to
do all of this without their star man Kyrie Irving, who has not been playing due to his refusal to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. His
decision does not adhere to New York’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

The Nets have been supportive of their
All-Star guard in a difficult moment. And when the side’s coaches or players converse
with Irving its not to discuss basketball with him but to ask about his well-being.

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DeAndre’ Bembry told The New York Post, “At this point, I send
certain messages because I know his phone’s getting blown up at this time. So I try to give him his space, because I
know he’s just one of those people that needs his space sometimes to collect
his thoughts and his energy and stuff. So for the most part, I definitely sent
him a couple messages over this time to just check up on him, make sure he’s
good.

“I know he’s good, I know he’ll
figure this out and get through it. But for the most part, like I said, I try
to give him his space, because I know I know how this could be. I know a lot of
his family’s calling him, friends, fans and all type of people; so try to give
them a little bit of space with all of this that’s going on.”

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Bembry is a part of Irving’s inner circle and
several others close to the star reiterated their support for the 29-year-old.

It remains unclear whether Irving will get
vaccinated or not and when New York city’s mandate will loosen up. One thing
that’s certain is that either action will allow Irving to play again. Until
then, the Nets are content on supporting the All-Star Guard.