Kyrie: 'I'm not retiring' over vaccine mandate

Kyrie Irving doesn't know when he'll suit up next for an NBA contest, but the All-Star guard is certain he hasn't played his last game.

"No, I'm not retiring. And no I'm not going and leaving this game like this," Irving said Wednesday on Instagram Live.

"There's still so much more work to do, and there's still so many more other youngins to inspire because I know they want to be better than me. And I can't wait to play against all y'all on this stage."

The Nets recently announced that Irving wouldn't be allowed to participate in any team activities until he is eligible to do so as a "full-time member" of the squad.

New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate prohibits the former No. 1 overall pick from playing in contests at the Barclays Center and Madison Square Garden.

Although Irving admits it's been tough being away from the game and his teammates, the three-time All-NBA selection believes he's standing up for a bigger cause.

"Nobody's going to take the power away from me that I have for speaking on these things," Irving said. "Don't believe that I'm retiring. Don't believe that I'mma give up this game for a vaccine mandate or staying unvaccinated. Don't believe any of that shit."