Major Controversies Surrounding Kyrie Irving: A Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Kyrie Irving.

Kyrie Irving is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011, he was named Rookie of the Year. Irving is a nine-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA Team selection, and won an NBA championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. He is known for his exceptional ball-handling skills and scoring ability.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

March 2016: Irving's Relationship with Kehlani Causes Controversy

In March 2016, Kyrie Irving's relationship with singer Kehlani caused a Twitter media controversy after singer PartyNextDoor posted an Instagram photo of Kehlani's hand while in bed together, and people assumed she had cheated on Irving. Irving stated they had broken up before the incident.

February 2017: Irving States Belief Earth is Flat

In February 2017, Kyrie Irving stated in an interview for a podcast that he believes that the Earth is flat.

September 2017: Irving Denies Flat Earth Claims

In September 2017, Kyrie Irving denied his earlier flat Earth claims and said that media misunderstood him as he was joking.

June 2018: Irving Questions Earth's Shape

In a June 2018 interview, Kyrie Irving, when asked if he would admit that the world is round, said, "I don't know. I really don't", and added that people should "do [their] own research for what [they] want to believe in" because "Our educational system is flawed".

October 2018: Irving Apologizes for Flat Earth Comments

In October 2018, Kyrie Irving apologized for his original flat Earth comments but stopped short of saying whether he still believed that the Earth is flat.

2018: Promoted Antisemitic Conspiracy

In 2018, Kyrie Irving promoted conspiracies, including tweeting a link to the film Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, which have been characterized as antisemitic.

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October 12, 2021: Ineligible to Play/Practice due to Vaccine Mandate

On October 12, 2021, the Nets announced that Kyrie Irving would be ineligible to play or practice with the team due to the New York City COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

October 2021: Speculation that Irving was Excluded from NBA 75th Anniversary Team List

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and Kyrie Irving's hesitancy to receive a vaccine against the virus, and sharing and interacting with social media posts from a conspiracy theorist on Instagram, it was speculated that in October 2021, Irving was excluded from the NBA 75th Anniversary Team list.

October 21, 2021: Exclusion from NBA 75th Anniversary Team

On October 21, 2021, Kyrie Irving was speculated to be originally on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team but was allegedly excluded due to the ongoing vaccine mandate controversy.

2021: Missed NBA season due to vaccination decision

Kyrie Irving's decision not to get vaccinated for COVID-19 led to him missing the majority of the 2021–2022 NBA season.

February 2022: NYC Vaccine Mandate Controversy

In February 2022, New York City mayor Eric Adams announced that the city would be lifting its vaccine requirement for indoor activities on March 7. However, Irving remained subject to a different workplace vaccine mandate. Adams stated that creating an exemption for Irving would "send the wrong message".

September 15, 2022: Irving Shares Alex Jones Video

On September 15, 2022, Kyrie Irving shared a video on his Instagram story featuring a rant by InfoWars creator and far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

October 27, 2022: Irving Tweets Link to Anti-Semitic Film

On October 27, 2022, Kyrie Irving tweeted a link to an Amazon listing page for Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America, a 2018 film based on a book of the same name, which promotes Black Hebrew Israelite ideology.

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October 29, 2022: Irving Responds to Anti-Semitism Accusations

On October 29, 2022, Kyrie Irving tweeted that deeming him antisemitic was "not justified", and that he intended to "learn from all walks of life and religions." The same day, during a postgame press availability at Barclays Center, Irving denied having any religious biases and defended the tweet, telling reporters that history is not supposed to be hidden from anybody.

November 3, 2022: Suspension by Nets

On November 3, 2022, the Nets suspended Kyrie Irving for at least five NBA games due to his failure to "unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs" and said that he is "currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets."