The Nets will be without superstar and MVP contender Kevin Durant for an extended period after he left Saturday’s game with a knee injury, but the three-time champion is expected to return to full strength following a rehab period, according to a release from the team.
Durant suffered the injury in the second quarter on Saturday when Bruce Brown was barreled over by a Pelicans player and made contact with the side of Durant’s left knee. Durant was in immediate discomfort and hobbled off the court, and an MRI on Sunday confirmed the damage to his knee.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets are optimistic that Durant’s rehab period could take four-to-six weeks, and that Durant could return sometime after the All-Star break in late February.
ICYMI: Here’s the video of Kevin Durant’s knee injury. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.
(Via Bleacher Report) pic.twitter.com/aIDZcZEZX8
— Chris Milholen (@CMilholenSB) January 16, 2022
The Nets come out of the All-Star break on February 24 and that’s a realistic benchmark for a Durant return, but clearly the organization will err on caution when it comes to a timeline with him. With 11 of next 14 on road, a lot of Kyrie Irving and James Harden together.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 16, 2022
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