Much like the rest of the league, the COVID-19 pandemic has largely ravaged the Brooklyn Nets. Along with multiple other Nets, Kevin Durant and James Harden both entered the healthy and safety protocols a couple of weeks ago. Heck, even Kyrie Irving, who has yet to suit up this season due to his vaccination status, entered the protocols just as he was about to make his season debut.

Despite these, Brooklyn still stands as one of the top teams in the East. This is thanks in large part to Durant and Harden's availability for majority of the season, health and safety issues aside. Nonetheless, one other Brooklyn player has played a huge role for the Nets amidst this COVID-riddled season. That man is Patty Mills.

Nets Hero Patty Mills

The Nets knew prior to the start of the 2021-22 season that they were going to be without Kyrie Irving indefinitely. Irving's stance on his vaccination made him unavailable for Brooklyn's home games due to New York's vaccine mandates. With that, the Nets made a decision not to allow Irving to be part-time player by just playing on the road (he's been allowed by the organization since then and his return is just around the corner).

With Irving out, Patty Mills stepped in as Brooklyn's consistent third scoring option behind Durant and Harden. By all means, the Australian is having a career year in his debut campaign with the Nets. It's safe to say that his magnificent stint with Team Australia in the Tokyo Olympics has carried over to the NBA.

Mills has been a steady ironman for Brooklyn. He hasn't missed a game all season — the only Net to do so — despite all these other players going down with COVID. In 34 games, including 20 starts, Mills is averaging a career-best 14.2 points, while shooting 44.9 percent from the field and a career-high 43.6 percent from 3-point range in over 30 minutes per game. It's easy to why the Nets went after Mills in free agency this past summer. The 33-year old is exactly who Brooklyn needs to complement their stars.

The former San Antonio Spur is also benefitting in playing alongside Durant and Harden so far. His efficiency this season has been off the charts. He has a true shooting percentage of 61.3 percent and an effective field goal percentage of 60.0 percent this season, by far the best of his career. These rank 2nd and 4th, respectively, among guards who have played at least 25 games and average over 30 minutes per contest.

As mentioned, Irving is nearing a return. There isn't a set date yet, but it's going to happen sooner than later. So does that affect Mills?

Mills probably won't get as much of the playing time or the amount of touches he's getting right now. What will happen is that he'll get much of the same open look's he's been getting all season. Per NBA.com, over 50 percent of Mills' threes are of the “Open” and “Wide Open” variety. He's been cashing his “Open” shots at a 44.2 percent clip and his “Wide Open” looks at 50 percent. Those could only go higher with the attention Irving brings.

Patty Mills should continue to be a key piece for Brooklyn, regardless of who's available or not.