[ad_1]
With Kevin Durant and James Harden – Brooklyn’s two hamstrung MVPs – getting ready to returning, the Nets are on the verge of lastly turning into complete.
Harden was testing out his sore hamstring Saturday afternoon, with coach Steve Nash deeming it “very attainable” that the purpose guard might return and go well with up for the two p.m. Easter Sunday matinee in Chicago.
Durant doesn’t seem prone to face the Bulls, however Nash held open an “outdoors chance” he might return from an almost two-month absence Monday when the Nets host the rival Knicks at Barclays Heart. And even when Durant doesn’t play then, there’s a “excessive chance” of him returning later within the week on this high-profile homestand — all three video games on nationwide TV.
“I’m not sure on Monday. I believe that’s an outdoor chance,” Nash stated of Durant. “However I additionally couldn’t say he’s by any stretch possible for Monday. I believe it’s simply wait-and-see. But it surely does look optimistic that this week someday there’s a excessive chance he can return.”
Durant has missed the final straight 21 video games due to a hamstring pressure. The Nets host the Knicks on NBA TV Monday, then Zion Williamson and the Pelicans on Wednesday on ESPN earlier than wrapping the homestand up towards the defending champion Saturday towards Lakers on ABC.
The 32-year-old Durant hasn’t suited up since Feb. 13, when he had 20 factors, six assists and 5 rebounds to steer the Nets to a 134-117 victory at Golden State towards his former group. However he injured his hamstring after what was a mini-comeback of types, having missed the three prior video games as a result of well being and security protocols — NBA code for a COVID-19 contact tracing quarantine.
Harden’s hamstring damage was far much less extreme, and his return apparently extra imminent.
“We’ll see. It’s up within the air (for Sunday). He’s figuring out proper now and we’ll see the way it goes, nevertheless it’s very attainable,” Nash stated. “And we’re additionally going to be very cautious if it’s in any respect a danger. So we’ll see the way it comes out [of his workout].”
Shockingly, the Nets’ Huge Three of Durant, Harden and Irving has solely began seven video games collectively, with a promising 6-1 report.
“I used to be enjoying stable earlier than I obtained injured. And we have been simply beginning to – I felt like we have been simply beginning to determine one another out, James [Harden], Kyrie [Irving], myself, and totally different lineups on the market on the ground,” Durant stated. “I felt like we have been beginning to achieve our rhythm, though I used to be out every week earlier than that with protocols. However I felt like our group was gaining extra chemistry then.
“That’s moreso what I’m involved about. How I play, I determine that out over time every time I get on the market, no matter place coach places me in, I’m trying ahead to attempting to overcome that as finest as I can. However the chemistry of the group is one thing that I stored a watch on and tried to assist after I’ve been away; guys have been doing wonderful job.”
Trades, signings, quarantines, accidents and even private leaves have compelled the Nets to get used to ever-shifting rotations. They’ve used the second-most beginning lineups within the league thus far this yr, Nash gunshy about even saying they might really be wholesome by the tip of this coming week.
“Properly that will be tempting destiny, my good friend, as a result of if I say sure, then another person will get harm and I’m not happening that street,” Nash stated. “So, there’s a very good likelihood Kevin will return to play this week, and the remainder of it I’m not going to the touch. So, hopefully.”
[ad_2]
Source link
