Nets forward Kevin Durant won’t be active on Monday night for the second game in the team’s first back-to-back set of the 2020/21 season, as Malika Andrews of ESPN writes. Durant had said over the weekend that he hoped to play in back-to-back games this season, despite coming off an Achilles tear, but he’s being held out tonight due to “injury recovery,” per the NBA’s official injury report.
“I definitely want to be able to play back-to-backs,” Durant said after Sunday’s game, per Andrews. “Get through ’em healthy and play my normal minutes, so we’ll see.”
While Durant may get a chance to play both halves of back-to-back sets later in the season, the Nets are clearly playing it safe with their top players to start the year. Kyrie Irving will also miss Monday’s game vs. Memphis for rest purposes, according to the club (Twitter link via Shams Charania of The Athletic).
Here’s more from around the Atlantic:
- Alex Schiffer of The Athletic takes a look at how Spencer Dinwiddie‘s ACL injury will affect the Nets, noting that the team will have to change up its starting lineup and also may not have as many in-season trade options available without a healthy Dinwiddie to put on the table.
- Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr., who has appeared in just one of the team’s three games so far, will remain in New York to continue rehabbing his left quad contusion, per the club (Twitter link). The hope is that Smith rejoins the Knicks at some point during their four-game road trip, which begins on Tuesday in Cleveland and runs through next Monday in Atlanta.
- The Celtics‘ bench – an Achilles heel for the team in 2019/20 – remains thin this season, especially with Kemba Walker unavailable, writes Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. Washburn wonders whether the team would consider opening up a roster spot to create room for a veteran who can score, and suggests that Isaiah Thomas is one free agent who might be a fit.
A shame about Dinwiddie. Hoping for a good recovery. It will be interesting to see how the Nets adapt they had the makings of a highly skilled/deep team, this is going to hurt them on some level as the season progresses.
It’s going to hurt them a lot, he was their 2nd leading scorer last season.
Of course it will hurt even more tonight with KD and Kyrie both resting.
You said the raptors were better than the Nets the other day buddy lol sit down
Nets should trade for D. Rose. When Okafor’s contract becomes tradeable. They can do D. ROSE, Okafor, and McGruder for J. Allen, and Prince. Nets won’t match Allen in Restricted free agency. Rose will be the perfect back up this season in Dinwiddie absence. And give them good security if Kyrie goes down. If Nets do this no pick needs to be involved.
If I am the Nets I might be interested in D Rose but not in this package.
Only way I see them getting him based on contracts. Why not this package? Why would nets hold on so tight to Allen? They can’t match him if he geta a big contract in restricted FA. (Not wise anyway)
Prince and Allen are both rotation guys in their 20s – Rosenis on the back 9 –
Also Dinwiddie will be back next year so not sure why they would give up that much for Rose
Also KD and Lavert can both play a little PG to backup Kyrie so I dont think theyll make a major move to compensate for Dinwiddie
Just my $.02 tho
I disagree. This reply didn’t answer my original point. IF allen most likely wont be there next year. He becomes a trade asset. Rose brings good value for tthe Nets. Sure you can argue maybe they can get a younger player or pick in return. But your explanation doesn’t prove to me this is not a reasoable trade.
I’m not convinced they don’t match Allen next year, esp given DeAndre’s age – and that’s also a hard thing to speculate on bc we dont know who will offer what
Also, and probably more importantly, the Nets are looking to contend THIS year and seem poised to do so. Even minus Dinwiddie they still have Kyrie Durant and Lavert who are all more than capable of initiating and creating offense. To give up a young starter level big and a useful wing defender for Derrick Rose makes little to no sense. Rose needs touches and there won’t be an abundance of them for him BK.
That’s just me though. I’m a fan of Dinwiddie. But I think in this context he was more of a luxury than a necessity for Brooklyn.
I’m selling the last of my DSJ stock…
I guess rolling the dice on IT could make some sense although it seems like he’s been pretty much unplayable for the last 3 seasons so idk how much itll love the needle for BOS
They need Dinwiddie for a Finals run. I’m sure they will wait this out. See who steps up how it plays out. But I could see Nets picking up another player eventually. Remember their window is now. LeVert has to step up now too.
DSJ is just better off somewhere else. Just ain’t working man for whatever reason. If I had his talent. I’d be starting for sure. This team is dying for consistent PG play. It’s frustrating to watch.
I hope Kemba is ok. He’s a good guy. Celtics are not winning without him. Healthy Celtics team can go to Finals. Kemba carries the tradition on NYC PGs. Get healthy bro.
I saw this coming… KD and Kyrie taking shots away from Levert & Dinwiddie. The games where they all played Spencer & Caris have yet to drop 15+ each. You see with Kyrie & KD taking a rest the other nite & now unfortunately Dinwiddie out Levert had to carry the load and drop 28 points… If the two guard & sixth man can’t get 15+ each I don’t see how the nets get to the finals to be honest… Hopefully Spencer can recover soon…