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Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets practices shooting before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, United States, February 23, 2021. / CFP
Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets practices shooting before the game against the Sacramento Kings at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, USA, February 23, 2021. / CFP
Kevin Durant has dropped out of the next NBA All-Star Game to be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on March 7, the Brooklyn Nets announced Friday.
Durant suffered a left hamstring strain earlier this month. After he underwent a follow-up MRI, coach Steve Nash said more patience is required before the 32-year-old returns healthy.
“I think in the second round of imaging, when there was less bleeding, it was clearer to be cautious. We will monitor him properly and make sure he plays back to the level he was playing when he came out.” “said Nash.
“Part of this is mother nature, and just figuring out the course of rehab and then getting it back up when you’re healthy enough so it doesn’t come back prematurely.”
Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives the ball in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, USA, February 13, 2021. / CFP
Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets drives the ball in the game against the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, USA, February 13, 2021. / CFP
Durant will be reevaluated after the All-Star break. He has missed nine of the Nets’ last 10 games. The team’s big three, Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving have only seen each other on the court together seven times so far.
“Obviously it sucks not having Kevin on the court with us, but with that said, we want him to be 100 percent sure that he can be out there and be healthy,” Nets center DeAndre Jordan said.
The Nets have three games left before the All-Star break: against the Dallas Mavericks at home and two on the road with the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets. Durant can lose them all, according to ESPN.
Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Barclays Center, February 2, 2021. / CFP
Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Barclays Center, February 2, 2021. / CFP
Although he rested for over a year to recover from his Achilles tendon tear, he has averaged 29 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists, which is definitely an MVP-level performance. It’s no wonder he won the second-most All-Star votes only after LeBron James. So far, the league has not decided whether Durant will remain team captain Kevin.
“He’s clearly disappointed. He went through one of the most devastating injuries in basketball and played at an All-Star or even MVP level, and having it shut off for a while is very disappointing for him. Having said that, it could always be. worse. So we will continue to monitor him and he will be back this season, and we will all be grateful when that time comes, but not until he is ready, “Nash said.
Domantas Sabonis # 11 of the Indiana Pacers dunks in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Bankers Life FieldHouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, February 5, 2021. / CFP
Domantas Sabonis # 11 of the Indiana Pacers dunks in the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Bankers Life FieldHouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, February 5, 2021. / CFP
Since there is a spot available, there must be a replacement to fill it. Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers entered the reserves. The 24-year-old big man made his All-Star debut last season and was able to score 21.6 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics will fill Durant’s spot on the starting charts.
