Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was pulled out of a game twice on Friday based on concerns about Covid-19.
The NBA said in a statement that the 10-time All-Star was held back before the tip was released because close contact had an inconclusive Covid-19 test. He was seen in play during the first quarter, but was pulled again in the third quarter after close contact was positively confirmed, the NBA said.
The competition does not require a player to be quarantined until a confirmed positive test for close contact is revealed, he said.
Durant was clearly frustrated, tweeting after you are withdrawn from the game: “Free me.”
The player, who averages nearly 30 points per game, had 8 points in 19 minutes and was out of bounds when the Nets fell against the Toronto Raptors 123-117.
Nets coach Steve Nash said at a post-game press conference that the pandemic drama was a distraction.
“If Kevin isn’t playing, are we going to let the remaining boys run too many minutes?” he said. “So maybe I was a little distracted by the big picture. But that’s the way it is this year.”
Durant recovered from Covid-19 last year, but surviving the disease, which confers a level of antibody defense, does not preclude testing positive again.
It’s not clear how long Durant will be out. Nash suggested it could be a week. NBC Sports reports that he did not travel to Philadelphia with teammates for a Saturday game.
