Kyrie Irving is not anti-vaccine and that his stance is that he is upset that people are losing their jobs due to vaccine mandates, multiple sources with direct knowledge of Irving's decision have told Shams Charania of The Athletic

"It’s a stance that Irving has explained to close teammates," writes Charania. "To him, this is about a grander fight than the one on the court and Irving is challenging a perceived control of society and people’s livelihood, according to sources with knowledge of Irving’s mindset. It is a decision that he believes he is capable to make given his current life dynamics."

Irving is currently ineligible to play for the Brooklyn Nets in home games and the team has decided that they'd prefer him not to play in any games until he's ready to play in all of them

“Kyrie wants to be a voice for the voiceless,” one source said.

Irving is slated to miss out on $16 million-plus in salary this season and also forgo a $186 million extension. 

The rules in New York City are indefinite and there is no expectation of them being reversed, which would allow him to play.