Nets All-Star forward Kevin Durant will not play prior to the All-Star break, according to a team press release. He’ll be replaced on the All-Star roster by Pacers big man Domantas Sabonis, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN tweets.
The decision on Durant’s status was made after a follow-up MRI on his strained left hamstring. The MRI led the team’s medical staff to the conclusion that Durant required an “additional recovery period.” The club is confident Durant will return to full strength and the “extra recovery time will allow him to perform at the level at which he was playing this season.” He’ll continue to undergo rehab and will be re-assessed after the break.
Earlier this week, coach Steve Nash said that he expected Durant to return before the break. Durant hasn’t played since February 13 but the Nets have won all six games he’s missed due to the injury. He also sat out the previous week due to COVID-19 contact tracing.
Brooklyn plays at home against Dallas on Saturday before embarking on a two-game Texas trip with stops in San Antonio and Houston before the March 7 All-Star Game.
Durant is averaging 29.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG and 5.3 APG after missing last season due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Sabonis, meanwhile, is averaging 21.5 PPG, 11.7 RPG and 5.7 APG. He’ll be making his second straight All-Star appearance and will earn a $1.3MM bonus for making the team, even though he was named as a replacement rather than making the initial 12-man squad, Bobby Marks of ESPN notes (via Twitter).
Where is Trae Young???
Not on the all star team
Such crap…
Imagine where Trae would rank if he played in the Western conference, he’d barely be among the top 10 guards there. Lucky for him he’s in the east.
Somewhere not playing defense
Where he belongs – not on the All-Star team.
I’d have picked Middleton or Butler.
Butler missed half the season…
Sabonis is is having a great yr. He deserves it. Everyone can’t make it. Indiana is a 4th seed
Dang no Trae
Sabonis is having a good year and his team is in the playoffs. Hawks fell apart and they suck now.
Not sure what this obsession with Trae Young is. He has good counting stats but he’s (a) very inefficient, (b) arguably the worst defender in the league, and (c) on a losing team.
Agree C…Id take 2 guards off Sac town right now to build around before Trae
Well deserved! He was a lock ahead of guys like ZLV, JB, JT or JR… Right decision!
Now just need o find a way to get Ice Trae in the ASG & that is gonna be great!!!
Good call here sitting Durant, Kyrie could/will prolly use a spell 2nd half as well – Take the last 15-20 to get all 3 in the mix together
Things could not have gone better for the Nets so far despite soo many potential pitfalls
This team will be even better 2nd half, personal bias aside, I cant knock anything Brooklyn these days. Harden looks amazing Rn
why all the cry for Trae?? Someone tell me please…
Tobias Harris could have had that spot but Sabonis is definitely deserving
Thank you KD ………. Domantas owes him a big steak dinner. Nice
“What this means for the 24-year-old big man is that he will now earn a bonus of $1.3 million dollars for being selected as an All-Star alternate. He currently averages 21.5 PPG along with 11.7 RPG, and has led the Indiana Pacers to a record of 15-15.”