The Nets expected to have the two stars absent on Sunday. They arrived halfway through, with Kevin Durant preparing against Oklahoma City, but Kyrie Irving playing against Thunder.
Durant had lost the previous three games due to NBA health and safety protocols after contacting someone who had COVID-19. But he repeatedly tested negative for coronavirus, passed the quarantine and was available against his former club.
Brooklyn was not so lucky with Irving.
Irving was left out of three consecutive games for what the team called “personal reasons”. With an average of 27.1 points, his continued absence is a great loss for the Nets. When asked if the team was satisfied with Irving’s explanation for his absence, Nash had a chance to say yes, but replied only that they were keeping the matter private.
Sources told the Post that the absence of the All-Star guard was related to Wednesday’s Capitol riot by supporters of President Trump.
During Durant’s absence of three games, the Nets punched Jazz by 36, overtook the leading 76ers of the Eastern Conference and dropped hearts the following night in Memphis at the end of a tough counterattack.
“We went 2-1. I would say that this is what we achieved in the three games, and we played basketball very well in the stretches ”, said Caris LeVert.
“It will be important for all of us to maintain momentum when these two return, because obviously they are a big part of our team and we need them to play well to do what we want. So, I think it was good for us to gain our confidence, to look and look like that, because we’re going to need that from now on for sure. “
In the absence of Durant’s three games, LeVert averaged 29.7 points and seven assists, shooting 50 percent and 47.4 percent deep. With Irving out on Sunday, Nash had another opportunity to keep LeVert on the starting lineup.
“Everyone is struggling with their own problems this season, and 2 in 3 in this league is pretty solid,” said Joe Harris. “To be an elite team that we want to reach, we need to be a little better and have a slightly better winning ratio. But for now, in terms of small wins, it’s a good step in the right direction.
“We have been playing – at least in the last few games – in a more competitive way, I think, just bringing good energy. … I think we will carry that momentum and obviously it will help a lot when we get Ky and Kevin back. “