The Nets were hoping to regain both absent stars on Sunday. Halfway through, Kevin Durant faced Oklahoma City, but Kyrie Irving was up against the Thunder.
Durant missed the previous three games due to NBA health and safety protocols after coming into contact with someone who has COVID-19. But he repeatedly tested negative for coronavirus, eliminated quarantine and was available against his former club.
Brooklyn was not so lucky with Irving.
Irving has now held three consecutive games for what the team called “personal reasons.” On average with 27.1 points, his continued absence is a huge loss for the Nets. When asked if the team was happy with Irving’s explanation for his absence, Nash had a chance to say yes, but only replied that he kept the matter private.
Sources told The Post that the absence of the All-Star guard was linked to Wednesday’s revolt at the Capitol by supporters of President Trump.
During Durant’s three-game absence, the Nets drilled the Jazz to 36, overtook the Eastern Conference’s top 76ers and left a heartbreak the next night in Memphis at the end of a back -to-back hard.
“I went 2-1. I would say that I achieved this in the three games and I played pretty good basketball on stretches “, said Caris LeVert.
“It will be important for all of us to maintain this momentum when the two return, because they are obviously a huge part of our team and we need them to play well to do what we want to do. So, I think it was good for us to trust ourselves in a way, to present our aspects and something like that, because we will definitely need this before ”.
In the absence of Durant’s three games, LeVert averaged 29.7 points and seven assists, 50% and 47.4% of depth. With Irving out on Sunday, Nash had another chance to keep LeVert at the starting line.
“Everyone is struggling with their own problems this season, and 2 out of 3 in this league are pretty solid,” said Joe Harris. “To be an elite team where we want to go, we have to be a little better and have a slightly better winning ratio. But for now, in terms of small victories, it is a good step in the right direction.
“I played – at least these last two games – more competitive, I think, bringing only good energy. … I think we will take this momentum and it will obviously help a lot when we bring Ky and Kevin back ”