The cliche “what goes up should come down” is a troublesome one to swallow. Amid a run through which the Brooklyn Nets have received 18 of their final 20 video games, they’re confronted with a roadblock because the workforce introduced that Kevin Durant has sprained his proper MCL and can miss at the least two weeks earlier than getting reevaluated.
Durant exited Sunday’s recreation towards Miami early after sustaining the harm within the third quarter. The Nets scrapped out a 102-101 victory over the Warmth because of Kyrie Irving’s 29 factors and a game-winning bucket by Royce O’Neale. The Nets have traditionally struggled with out their star, going 8-19 with out KD through the 2021-22 season. The Nets are presently second within the Jap Convention and are en path to overtaking the Boston Celtics, however simply how far will Durant’s harm set them again?
Durant’s affect to date this season
Not solely does this misfortune doubtlessly stunt the Nets’ profitable spree, nevertheless it may additionally diminish an MVP-candidate season for the 34-year-old. Apart from averaging 29.7 factors, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per recreation, Durant has been capturing a career-high 55.9 % from the sector. The previous two seasons for the Nets have confirmed that neither Durant nor Irving can lead the Nets on their very own. Although the Nets are 7-3 with out Irving this season, it’s simple to inform that each males and the Nets play higher when 7/11 is in full service.
Whereas the Nets have established themselves as a well-rounded workforce general, they nonetheless lean closely on Durant as their main scoring possibility on a nightly foundation. The size of his therapeutic interval may additionally have an effect on his participation within the NBA All-Star recreation on Feb. 19. Nonetheless, ought to Durant be again prior to later, right here’s what the following two weeks maintain for the Nets.
What’s forward of the Nets with out Durant?
Realistically, Durant might be sidelined for at the least three weeks, assuming they provide him extra time to nurse the harm after getting reevaluated. Followers can at the least hope that Durant is again and wholesome earlier than February arrives. The Nets have six video games scheduled earlier than Durant will get reevaluated. Beginning with the Boston Celtics on Thursday, Jan. 12, and ending with a highway recreation towards the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 22. The remainder of their January schedule additionally consists of video games towards the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
The harm strikes a nerve for the Nets, as Durant additionally suffered a sprained MCL nearly a yr in the past. Durant fell to the harm on Jan. 15 and didn’t return till March 3. The Nets went 5-16 whereas Durant was recovering. In consequence, they needed to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers within the Play-In event earlier than getting swept by the Celtics within the first spherical.
Regardless of Durant’s harm, the Nets are retaining their heads excessive down the stretch. “He’s in good spirits, as all of us are,” Irving acknowledged after Sunday’s victory. “The power of our workforce is us choosing one another up, and being prepared for no matter is thrown at us.”
