NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 05: Kevin Durant # 7 of the Brooklyn Nets marks his three points … [+]
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Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is unlikely to travel to Philadelphia for Saturday’s game with the 76ers after being slammed Friday against the Raptors for NBA Health and Safety Protocols, ESPN reported.
Durant, the top scorer in the NBA and the leader in All-Star voting, did not start in the Nets’ 123-117 loss to the Raptors. It was later reported that Durant was out looking for a contact and may be available later in the game.
He came off the bench for the first time in 867 career games in the first quarter and was then told by a Nets official with about nine minutes left in the third quarter that he had to leave the game due to Health and Safety protocols. NBA safety. Durant, who was visibly upset, threw a bottle of water when he returned to the locker room. He finished with eight points and five assists in 19 minutes.
“It’s hard to lose Kevin Durant twice in one night,” Nets coach Steve Nash told ESPN’s Malika Andrews on air. “It wasn’t easy but we have to be flexible and this is going to be the kind of season. We have a lot going on in our world and we’ve got a lot of guys who can step in. ”
Durant lost three games last month after being exposed to a Covid-19 promotion case.
It’s unclear how Durant’s latest situation could affect his teammates or the Raptors going forward.