The Nets performed their nineteenth straight recreation with out Kevin Durant on Saturday evening, however they could not have to attend for much longer for his or her star to return.
Durant went via a second high-intensity exercise Saturday morning in Milwaukee and if he comes out of that wholesome, might solely want yet another earlier than he's cleared to return from his sprained left MCL — although coach Steve Nash stated Durant is unlikely to return throughout a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday in opposition to the Raptors.
“Day-after-day nearer,” Nash stated earlier than the Nets’ 126-123 win over the Bucks. “We’ll see. I anticipate within the subsequent week he’ll be again for certain. But it surely might be fast, it might be the entire week barring setbacks.”
Nash described the high-intensity exercises as taking part in both half-court or full-court video games with the Nets’ “stay-ready” group. It stays to be seen when Durant will get the prospect to undergo a 3rd high-intensity exercise — presumably Monday morning in Brooklyn — however the Nets have a home-and-home Monday and Tuesday in opposition to the Raptors earlier than internet hosting the Warmth on Thursday.
Earlier than sustaining the knee damage, Durant was placing collectively an MVP-caliber season, averaging 29.3 factors, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists via 36 video games. His return would go a good distance towards reviving the Nets, as they attempt to keep away from the play-in event, with 21 video games left within the common season following the conflict with the Bucks on Saturday.
“I believe with Kevin, he’s been an awesome healer all through his profession,” Nash stated. “The No. 1 factor is to get him again wholesome, feeling safe in his well being and his physique so he can transfer and be free when he’s again. Clearly he provides a ton to our workforce on each ends of the ground. He leads the league in scoring, one of many best scorers of all time.
“However we additionally know he helps us defensively and provides us extra dimension and size. He’s a giant miss for us and every time he will get again he’ll positively affect our workforce on each ends of the ground.”
Whereas Ben Simmons continues his conditioning for a return to play, he's coping with some again soreness, Nash confirmed. The coach stated the flare-up was not an damage, however as a substitute “regular soreness” for somebody who was ramping again up after not having performed a recreation since June.
“It’s not a long-term factor,” Nash stated. “That’s simply a part of his course of in returning to play. As you ramp up, you’re somewhat bit vulnerable to sure issues, as you'd be with muscle soreness or tightness. He’s having somewhat tightness along with his again.”
It was not clear whether or not the problem would additional delay Simmons’ Nets debut.
Simmons traveled to Milwaukee with the Nets, however just isn't but doing high-intensity exercises. Nash described Simmons as doing particular person work and mixing physio, energy and conditioning and talent work to get his physique and recreation again as much as taking part in velocity.
“He’s not fairly in [Durant’s] place, so so far as Kevin’s actually shut, [Simmons] nonetheless has a while forward of him,” Nash stated.
Nash stated there was nonetheless no choice but whether or not Joe Harris (ankle) would wish one other surgical procedure.
“He’s going to maintain working at it and attempting to see if it continues to enhance,” Nash stated.
Newly signed level guard Goran Dragic, taking part in for the primary time since Nov. 13, made his Nets debut and chipped in six factors in 14 minutes off the bench.
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