Kevin Durant has found ways to impact the Brooklyn Nets this season without seeing a single minute of game action. Kyrie Irving did so when he was on the court earlier in 2019-20, and the Nets have started to feel what life is like without the point guard, having just gone through a seven-game losing streak.
There were several players who helped the Nets snap their skid with their play on Friday, but it turns out Brooklyn’s two injured superstars played a role in the 117-113 win over the Miami Heat.
Following the Nets’ first win of 2020, Kenny Atkinson explained to reporters just how Durant and Irving factored into Friday’s outcome:
Ky [Irving] coming back and having a good practice with us yesterday. The spirit was real good yesterday in practice. I’m kinda corny, I think that stuff carries over. … I thought KD coming out and being in the huddle and talking [helped]. Just a collective energy with the group. You know how that can go. It can go the other way when you face adversity. We became even more together, tighter as a unit. That bodes well for the future.