NEW YORK – Kevin Durant trained with the Brooklyn Nets on Friday after losing six days in the league’s coronavirus tracking protocols and is scheduled to play on Saturday against his former team, the Golden State Warriors.
Friday was the first time Durant has been with the Nets since he was pulled from the court in the third quarter of a February 5 game against the Toronto Raptors.
“I was a little upset during and after the game, but I’m fine now,” said Durant. “I’m ready to play.”
In a bizarre twist at the Barclays Center on February 5, Durant was unable to start the game because he was in close contact with a team official who had returned an inconclusive coronavirus test. He entered the game in the middle of the first quarter and played 19 minutes before the official returned a positive test, prompting Durant to be dropped in the third quarter.
“It was just an unfortunate situation,” said Durant, speaking about the incident to reporters for the first time. “I was looking forward to that game that night and I was informed just before the report that I would have to wait a second for a test. You know, it just changed the pace, my pace a little bit because I wanted to go there and play, but I’m back there now. It is what it is. “
Although Durant lost a week, Nets coach Steve Nash said he would not have a minute restriction against the Warriors.
“Even if I wanted to limit him,” said Nash, smiling, “I don’t think he would allow it. So, I think he’s in full swing.”
Durant added that while it was frustrating to get in and out of the game against the Raptors and subsequently be placed on contact tracking protocols for the second time this season, it did not cost him a huge mental tribute.
“It’s not that bad,” said Durant. “We are getting millions of dollars to do something we love every day. We will solve the rest.”
The Nets will be without center DeAndre Jordan against the Golden State. Nash said the plan is for Jordan – who is out for personal reasons unrelated to COVID-19 – to continue daily testing for the coronavirus while he is out of the team and to join the group somewhere on the west coast. swing.
The Nets’ five-game trip, which starts on Saturday, will be the longest of the season so far.