The Nets were hoping to get both of their absent stars back Sunday. They got there halfway, with Kevin Durant succeeding against Oklahoma City, but Kyrie Irving sitting against the Thunder.
Durant missed the previous three games due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols after coming in contact with someone who has COVID-19. But he repeatedly tested negative for coronavirus, quarantined and was available against his former club.
Brooklyn was not so happy with Irving.
Irving has now suspended three consecutive games for what the team called ‘personal reasons’. Averaging 27.1 points, his continued absence is a huge loss for the Nets. Asked if the team was happy with Irving’s explanation for his absence, Nash had the chance to say yes, but only replied that they kept the matter private.
Sources told The Post that the absence of the All-Star guard is related to the riot at the Capitol on Wednesday by supporters of President Trump.
During Durant’s absence of three games, the Nets drilled the Jazz with 36, crossed alongside the leading 76ers of the Eastern Conference and dropped a heartbreaker in Memphis the following evening at the end of a difficult rugby battle.
“We took a 2-1 lead. I would say that is what we have achieved in the three games, and we played pretty good basketball, “said Caris LeVert.
“It will be important for all of us to keep this momentum going when the two return, because it is clear that they are a big part of our team and that we need to play well to do what we want to do. So I think it was good for us to get our confidence, our looks and stuff like that, because we’ll need it for sure. ”
In Durant’s absence during three games, LeVert averaged 29.7 points and seven assists, shooting 50 percent and 47.4 percent from deep. With Irving out Sunday, Nash once again had an opportunity to keep LeVert in the starting lineup.
“Everyone is struggling over the course of this season with their own issues, and 2-out-3 in this league is pretty solid,” Joe Harris said. ‘To be an elite team where we want to go, we need to be a little better and have a little better winning ratio. But right now, in terms of small wins, it’s a good step in the right direction.
‘We have – at least the last few games – played more competitively, I think, and just bring out good energy. … I think we are going to carry this momentum, and it will of course help a lot if we get Ky back and Kevin back. ”