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The shorthanded Brooklyn Nets acquired the job carried out in opposition to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday evening. The primary place Nets now enhance to 20-8 and maintain a 2.5 sport lead over the second place Chicago Bulls. Coming into the competition, issues have been uncontrolled. Late on Monday, ahead Paul Millsap was dominated out as a result of well being and security protocols. Then we discovered on Tuesday that 5 extra Nets can be out after testing optimistic for Covid as nicely.
LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Bembry, Jevon Carter and James Johnson be a part of Paul Millsap in Covid protocols for the Nets now, staff says. https://t.co/cWBi84sCmt
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 14, 2021
As if it couldn’t get extra bizarre, simply earlier than the sport began, we discovered James Harden and Bruce Brown had examined optimistic additionally. The sport wouldn’t have been performed in any respect had Kevin Durant (listed questionable with an ankle) been unable to go.
The Nets now say Kevin Durant is questionable for the Toronto sport with proper ankle soreness.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 14, 2021
Steve Nash was requested how he and his workers deal with all the damage and sickness updates given a lot uncertainty in these loopy instances.
“Yeah I attempt to not get to up and down about it,” mentioned Nets coach Steve Nash. “Simply let all the knowledge are available type of get a deal with on what’s coming down the pipeline, what choices should be made, simply be calm.”
Nash additionally gave an replace on Durant in the identical reply, following the massive 131-129 time beyond regulation win. It seems like regardless of all the hurdles, Kevin Durant badly wished to play.
“It [was] additionally a call on Kevin’s ankle and whether or not we may play the sport in any respect. However Kevin wished to play. Wished to play even underneath these circumstances and he was rewarded for that.”
Nash talked about that Durant was “rewarded” for pushing by means of the ache and enjoying. You may see what he means right here.
Love this power from KD after the win 😈 @KDTrey5 (through @APOOCH) pic.twitter.com/7aEBIdCBxH
— Extra time (@time beyond regulation) December 15, 2021
Durant had 34 factors, 11 dimes, and 13 boards for a cool triple-double, regardless of the damage tag coming in.
“I used to be gassed for certain there in that fourth,” mentioned an emotional Durant after the Nets sport. “And so to see Kess, Patty, Duke, make performs, Blake, make performs in that fourth, reenergized me going into that time beyond regulation and I used to be capable of hit a pair pictures there within the time beyond regulation and provides us a bit of small cushion if something.”
“We down 7 gamers and we may’ve simply simply punted this sport. However we have seen a possibility to develop and get higher…I am so proud to be a part of this group and play with these younger dudes. Man, it was wonderful to be on the market” – Kevin Durant on tonight’s Nets win pic.twitter.com/R0G2GKOOad
— Nets Movies (@SNYNets) December 15, 2021
Durant referenced Kessler Edwards, Patty Mills, David Duke Jr. and Blake Griffin who all joined in and stepped up. Edwards, a rookie seeing his first actual NBA motion, was a beast and exploded for a double-double in 44 huge minutes.
Kessler with CONFIDENCE! ☔️ @KesslerEdwards pic.twitter.com/nkFR0WEq7n
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) December 15, 2021
“Kess, he was excellent,” gushed Nash. “Clearly 17 [points] ten [rebounds], two steals, 2 assists, three threes, he began the sport and he didn’t run in for a dunk, he gave up an offensive rebound and we simply informed him play, be aggressive, have enjoyable on the market, you’re participant present it. And man he responded, so actually happy with him and all these guys,” praised the top coach.
“In that third we down 44-25,” defined Durant, “I carried out seen groups get down that massive and simply go the opposite approach and splinter and everyone go their separate methods however we stayed collectively.”
Patty Mills was sensible as nicely. The previous Spur had a season excessive 30 factors on prime of a scorching 7 of 14 from downtown. The Australia native was so sizzling from distance he had Sarah Kustok on the YES Community broadcast yelling “Patty Soften!” The vet saved hope stay by draining a sport tying triple to drive OT.
“You come into the locker room to arrange for a sport, nicely I suppose this morning, you hear the information,” defined Mills, “and there’s two issues that coulda occurred. We coulda mentioned ‘look that is unlucky instances and its an excessive amount of adversity and fold’ or we coulda gone on the market and performed with the guts and the fervour like we did,” mentioned Mills, one of many staff’s emotional leaders.
Durant actually appeared to like this win specifically and was completely happy for his teammates.
“Man, I can’t even clarify how I really feel,” mentioned the Nets celebrity. “Particularly, it’s December and we down seven gamers. We coulda simply simply punted this sport….I’m so proud to be a part of this group and play with these younger dudes. Man it was wonderful to be on the market.”
Durant was requested about his ankle. Was he actually a sport time determination?
“This morning I felt good, I felt a bit of sore however I felt prefer it was one thing I may play on so I knew I may play this morning,” defined Durant. “I wasn’t anticipating James [Harden] and Bruce [Brown] to be out ’til I acquired to the sport which was a shock however that made me much more excited to play this sport with the younger dudes,” mentioned KD.
He clearly didn’t imply to throw any shade nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly humorous to listen to he was further excited when he discovered he’d get the younger core to himself on this one.
However the unquestioned chief of the staff clarified his level.
“I hate that my teammates are out,” mentioned the 2014 MVP, logging his most minutes in years. “I want everyone was enjoying however I knew it was a terrific alternative for all of us to hoop for one, however simply to go on the market and see the place we’re in opposition to a stable staff . So I can’t watch for the remainder of the blokes to get again, we miss all of them, it’s bizarre not having them within the locker room so hopefully all the blokes get higher right here quickly and we are able to have our full staff collectively however tonight was enjoyable.”
This was a type of video games the staff exuded pleasure. It’s a disgrace they couldn’t share it with the opposite half of the squad. Right here’s hoping they continue to be principally asymptomatic.
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