Kevin Durant will not be rejoining the red-hot Nets anytime soon.
Durant will miss at least three more games and only return after the break of the NBA All-Star, the team announced on Friday. The determination that he needs a longer recovery period was made after a routine follow-up MRI examination of his left hamstring.
“The latest footage gave a clearer picture of the hamstring and while we are confident Durant will return at full strength, this extra recovery time will allow him to perform at the level he has played this season when he returns,” the team said in a statement. “Durant will continue to undergo rehabilitation and will be reassessed after the break.”
Durant was to serve as the captain in the NBA All-Star Game on March 7 as he was the Eastern Conference’s primary vote counters. That meant drafting 12 players for Team Durant to play against a team drafted by LeBron James. Pacer’s great man Domantas Sabonis will replace Durant in the All-Star team.
For the Nets, winners of eight consecutive series, Durant will miss games against the Mavericks, Spurs and Rockets for a possible return on March 11 against the Celtics.