Brooklyn was on the rise again, and Kevin Durant will be back on national TV against Phoenix at the Barclays Center on Sunday.
Durant has missed the last three games with a bruised left thigh, the one in Miami on Sunday was suffered. He only lasted 4:03 in the Heat before being fouled by Trevor Ariza and accidentally knocking the Miami veteran on his leg.
Nets manager Steve Nash doesn’t plan on having Durant a full compliment right away of minutes playing.
« We’re not going to kick him out and let him play 30 minutes tonight or for the next two or three nights, » Nash said ahead of Sunday’s game, hoping Durant in both back-to games not to play. Move. “But we definitely want him to play a decent amount where he can influence the game and improve his fitness. There is a fine line between him getting his legs back and having the demand and load required so that he can adapt to the demands while not overexposing him at the same time. So there is still a process to be had with him. We are obviously aware of how little basketball, by and large, he has played in recent years. The goal for us is to make sure he gets into the playoffs healthy, but secondly, he’s also in good shape. There is a balance to be found. “
Durant was considered questionable for Friday’s win against Boston before eventually being forced to sit out. And after he was originally rated as likely against the Suns, he was upgraded to available along with security guard Tyler Johnson, who had himself sidelined with pain in his right knee.
Any injury to Durant must be considered. He missed 18 months with a broken Achilles in June 2019. Durant suffered a battle with COVID-19, two more health and safety quarantines, and missed 23 straight games with a thigh strain. He had only returned from the injury on April 7th and had played five games before he was forced out of the game in Miami.
« In many ways we missed him so much all season, this shared experience, this time to wiggle, this novelty is the things we’re fighting, « said Nash. “But in terms of his skills and the way he fits into a basketball team, he’s as perfect as possible. You never know. He could get out on the fly. He could fight at his own pace. The most important thing is that he has his legs under him and begins to rebuild his health, and tonight is the first step towards that. «
The Nets are five more players missing against the Sonnen on Sunday, including James Harden (thigh), Nic Claxton (health and safety protocols), Spencer Dinwiddie (ACL) and Chris Chiozza (broken hand).
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