The Nets have not really been able to include their entire team this season. And yet, advancing to Thursday night’s game against the Hornets, they stood alone in the Eastern Conference.
More than half of the 2020–21 campaign, Brooklyn is the No. 1 seed in the East with a 33–15 record, marking an impressive 14–4 against teams above .500. The Nets have won 17 of their last 20 matches, despite part or all of the stretch of key players.
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Nets star Carrie Irving, who recently missed three games due to a family issue, will be available on Thursday, but he will not be joined by other members of Brooklyn’s “Big Three”. Both Kevin Durant and James Harden have been spared injuries.
What’s up with each player? Here are the latest updates from Durant and Harden.
Why is Kevin Durant vs the Hornets?
Durant is still recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him on the bench since mid-February. As Athletic’s Shams Charania reports, the Nets are (understandably) being cautious with the former MVP, but Durant is “getting back on the floor”.
“His comeback is coming to a close. I have been told that if it had been the playoffs, Kevin Durant would have been on the floor by now.” Charania said During a video segment for the stadium. “But the Nets are being very cautious. They want to make sure that their ramp-up is done correctly. I would expect next week to start the timeline for their return to the floor.”
In 19 games this season, Durant has averaged 29.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He missed the entirety of the previous season as he recovered from Achilles’ injury.
Why is James Harden vs Hornets?
Harden leaves Wednesday night’s game against the Rockets called the Nets “Right hamstring tightness.” Considering how long Durant has been out, it seems a bit clichéd, but the honk is expected to be “daily, per charania”.
“The positive news for the Nets right now is not to assume that this is a long-term issue. That is going to happen day-to-day.” Charania said. “As far as a comeback – considering the nets and how they work – they will make sure he is 100 percent, fully healthy, before his hamstring issue returns from any ramp-up correctly. Have done. “
Since being traded from Houston to Brooklyn, Harden has emerged as the MVP candidate, averaging 26.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Nets Hornets injury report
The Nets will also be without Blake Griffin, who sits on the second night of back-to-back. Newly signed big man LaMarcus Aldridge is expected to make his Brooklyn debut, as he is not listed in the team’s injury report.
(Current as of 1:30 pm ET on Thursday afternoon)
| Team | The player | Event | cause |
| The trap | Spencer Dinwy | outside | right knee; Partially torn ACL |
| The trap | Kevin Durant | outside | Left hamstring; Tension |
| The trap | Blake Griffin | outside | left knee; Injury management |
| The trap | James harden | outside | Right hamstring; Tightness |
| Hornets | Lamello ball | outside | Right wrist; Breach |
| Hornets | Malik Monk | The potential | right foot; Soreness |
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