At least the Brooklyn Nets will be without Kevin Durant on Friday, as the star did not travel with the team on his three-game road trip.
Coach Steve Nash said the decision was made because Durant is at a “critical” point in his rehabilitation for a left hamstring strain.
“We just felt it was not benefiting him to travel across the country while trying to get that crucial final leg of his rehab done,” Nash said.
The Nets played in Portland on Tuesday-evening, with Utah and Detroit taking their turn before returning home to play against Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.
Nash said the Nets’ back-to-back games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, plus the six-hour cross-country flight, wouldn’t allow Durant much time in the gym to do his exercises and receive treatment. .
Nash reiterated that Durant continues to make progress, is on the field every day and “looks great”. Nash said if the Nets were at a more critical point in the season, Durant would likely be close to coming back.
However, with two months of regular season games left, Nash reiterated that the team is in no rush to get Durant back.
“Kevin is doing very well,” said Nash. “If these were the playoffs there is a chance he would be back very soon, but there is no point in taking a big risk with him when the most important thing is to get him back for the rest of it. season.”
The Nets are short-handed, without Landry Shamet, who sprained his right ankle against the Washington Wizards on Sunday, and Kyrie Irving, who is out for personal reasons, the team said.
Nash said there is a possibility that Shamet, who did not travel with the team, will join the group in Detroit for Friday’s game.
Durant has been eliminated since February 12, averaging 29 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in the 19 games he has played with Brooklyn.