Kevin Durant is getting extremely close to returning for the Brooklyn Nets. There was some hope that KD was going to be able to suit up for Brooklyn on Monday or on Tuesday against the Toronto Raptors, but apparently, he just isn't ready yet. Be that as it may, Durant is expected to be available for the Nets in the coming days.
On Monday, Nets coach Steve Nash provided a more concrete update on his superstar's status. According to the 48-year-old shot-caller, who himself entered the league's health and safety protocols on Monday, they expect KD to be available either on Thursday against the Miami Heat or Sunday against the Boston Celtics:
“Kevin's getting close,” Nash said (h/t Dave Early of ClutchPoints). “We're hopeful that he can play this week. He won't play tonight or [Tuesday] but hopeful, I guess, that would be Thursday or Sunday. So Kevin's getting close, which is exciting.”
Steve Nash gives an update on Joe Harris, Kevin Durant, and Ben Simmons. Sounds like KD is looking at Thursday or Sunday, nothing imminent on the other two. #NetsWorld pic.twitter.com/uUhrmSouBt
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) February 28, 2022
Nash also noted that, unlike KD, Ben Simmons still has no timetable on his return. The former Sixers star is still working his way back from a back injury, but he too should be back for the Nets in the near future.
As for Durant, his return will be a welcome development for the Nets, who have clearly been struggling without their star forward. It's now been a month and a half since KD sprained the MCL on his left knee and it's great to hear that he's finally coming back.
Nets guard Bruce Brown also provided a bit of an update on Durant following Monday's shootaround. According to Brown, KD is looking as good as ever:
“He doesn't look hurt to me,” Brown said with a smile, via Nick Friedell of ESPN. “I'm going to be honest. He looks good.”
New Nets recruit Andre Drummond, who joined Brooklyn as part of the Ben Simmons-James Harden deal, also had nothing but praise for Durant.
“He's going to come back and impact the game every way possible,” Drummond said. “He's a threat both offensively and defensively. I think with our chemistry together on the floor, it's going to make it very difficult for teams to pick their poison, with who they want to guard, along with Kyrie, Seth [Curry] and when Ben comes back. And we go on the list of our roster, we have a lot of threats.”
Drummond is clearly excited to start playing alongside Durant. Much like all basketball fans, Drummond is also looking forward to seeing this new-look Nets side dominate once KD gets back to full strength.
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