Steve Nash mentioned it’s attainable that injured Kevin Durant or incoming Goran Dragic might swimsuit up as quickly as Saturday in Milwaukee, however added it’s far likelier that one or each may very well be prepared sooner or later within the Nets’ three video games subsequent week.
“I’m certain it’s attainable, however for me it’s in all probability, once more, within the subsequent three video games extra probably than Saturday,” Nash mentioned of Durant returning in opposition to the defending champion Bucks. He supplied the same prognosis for Dragic.
“I suppose it’s not out of the query, however we have now to evaluate how he comes by way of [Thursday], [Friday] and see the place he’s at Saturday. So it’s in all probability much less probably that he would play. However I feel within the subsequent three video games, there’s a great probability he’s on the market.”
The Nets, who had been blown out 129-106 by the Celtics on Thursday night time, host the Raptors on Monday and play the tail finish of a back-to-back the following night time in Toronto earlier than enjoying host to the Warmth on Thursday.
The Nets had been 27-15 when Durant suffered a sprained left MCL, sitting second within the Jap Convention and sixth total within the NBA. However since Jan. 16, Brooklyn is now 4-14 after a 129-106 loss to Boston on Thursday.
It’s unattainable to overstate Durant’s significance to the Nets, however he — similar to Dragic, Ben Simmons and an injured Joe Harris — should full three high-intensity exercises earlier than being cleared to play.
“They’re all at totally different phases of that. However that’s form of the markers we’re , and so they’re all, like I mentioned, at numerous factors in that. Some are within the high-intensity bucket already, some should not,” Nash mentioned. “So I feel Kevin’s in all probability the closest, however has a while to make up nonetheless. And Ben and Joe path behind him.
“[Durant] has performed. He’s enjoying. I'd say he’s had one. So we’ll see. He looks like he’s getting there and we’ll see how he responds [Friday]. After which we’ll attempt to get him in subsequent exercises.”
Dragic hasn’t performed since showing in 5 video games in the beginning of the season for Toronto. The 35-year-old guard had been understanding on his personal in South Florida earlier than being signed Tuesday.
Simmons hasn’t performed in even longer, not showing for the reason that 76ers’ second-round playoff exit again in June 2021. Harris has been out with an ankle damage, attempting to keep away from having a second surgical procedure. There's rising optimism that he could possibly keep away from one other process, however nothing is determined but.
TNT reported throughout its broadcast that Brooklyn would know by the top of the week if Harris would wish a second ankle surgical procedure. However when apprised of the in-game report, Nash mentioned, “I didn't know that, no.”
Thursday marked Nic Claxton’s first recreation motion since Feb. 4. He’d missed the primary 4 with a hamstring damage and the previous three earlier than the break as a wholesome DNP.
Patty Mills had only one level on 0 of 9 taking pictures, together with 0 of 5 from deep.
The Aussie guard has been compelled to do an excessive amount of and is clearly gassed. He’s averaging simply 8.6 factors on 28.8 % taking pictures in his previous seven video games.
“Patty’s drained. His legs have been labored fairly exhausting this 12 months,” Nash mentioned. “He’s performed extra minutes than he’s ever performed and we’ve requested loads of him, in order we get our bodies again, he can hopefully get just a little bit extra of a traditional rotation.”
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