Instead of playing for the Nets on Tuesday night, Brooklyn star Kyrie Irving attended a launch party for Manhattan District Democratic candidate Tahanie Aboushi.
Aboushi tweeted a picture of the Zoom event, and Irving – who has been away from the Nets since last week – was among the more than 200 volunteers and supporters who took part.
The event, hosted by actress Cynthia Nixon, began at 7 p.m. – about 40 minutes before the Nets took off against the Denver Nuggets at the Barclays Center.
Irving, 28, missed four consecutive games, including his team’s 122-116 victory Tuesday.
The point guard’s absence is apparently because he is upset about the American Capitol riot.
Irving has not spoken publicly since the uprising, but a video of him allegedly partying while celebrating his sister’s birthday appeared on Monday night.
The video is not dated.
Sean Marks, general manager of Nets, said in a statement that the organization was aware of the video and “reviewed the circumstances with both Kyrie and the NBA in order to ensure compliance with the health and safety protocols.”
The NBA’s COVID-19 protocol prohibits players from going to bars, lounges or clubs or social gatherings with more than 15 people.
Irving is in the second season of a $ 136 million four-year contract.