Since Kyrie Irving returned to the lineup, the Brooklyn Nets have been the hottest team in the league — 20-4 with a top-five offense and defense.
One thing that could slow them down? Losing their MVP candidate for a stretch.
Hopefully that’s not the case, but Kevin Durant left Sunday’s game against the Heat with a knee injury. With 1:05 left in the third quarter, Jimmy Butler had his shot blocked by Ben Simmons, and as he came down Butler accidentally fell into Durant’s leg. KD will have an MRI on Monday back in New York.
The Nets say that Kevin Durant is OUT for the remainder of Nets-Heat due to a right knee injury after Jimmy Butler fell on his knee on this play.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 9, 2023
Prayers up to KD 🙏 pic.twitter.com/v0PPP9Hfe1
There were no updates on Durant after the game, but the vibes seemed relatively positive — not the mood if the news in the locker room had been negative.
Jacque Vaughn says he ‘did not inquire’ about KD’s knee.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) January 9, 2023
‘I’m going to knock on some wood and see what happens tomorrow’ https://t.co/2S8L0uHrl6
Kyrie on KD: “He’s in good spirits.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) January 9, 2023
Durant suffered a knee injury about this time last season — Bruce Brown fell into his other knee in another fluke play — when and missed 21 games. Hopefully this injury is not as serious as that one.
Durant has played at an MVP level — he has to be in the heart of the discussion for the award mid-season — averaging 30 points a game with a 67.5 true shooting percentage, plus putting up 6.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists a night. He has carried the Nets for much of the season, and when everyone around him got healthy and focused this team went on a run.
A run that now also includes a win over the Heat in Miami without Durant to close the game, thanks to a Royce O’Neal putback.
ANOTHER game-winner from @BucketsONeale00 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/kpGAGkYta1
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) January 9, 2023
Hopefully the Nets will not need a lot more heroics due to Durant being out.