After losing the last three games due to NBA safety and health protocols, Kevin Durant will return Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team announced.
Kyrie Irving, however, will miss his third consecutive game for personal reasons.
The Nets have decided not to delve into Irving’s absence, and coach Steve Nash said Friday that he has contacted the Star Guard but wanted to keep those conversations private. When asked if he was satisfied with Irving’s level of communication, Nash again said he wanted to keep him private, a feeling that continued before the Nets faced the Thunder.
“All communication with Ky between the organization will be kept private,” Nash said Sunday, “but I’m sure you’ll hear about it at some point.”
When asked if he had any idea of a timeline for Irving’s return, Nash said no.
Durant, who tested positive for COVID-19 last spring and still shows antibodies in his tests, recently had close contact exposure that forced him to sit with a mandatory seven-day quarantine.
“Kevin is excited. He was devastated to have to sit down,” Nash said. “We all know he really likes the game and he likes to play, so he’s happy to be back and we obviously have a happy coach to get him back.”
Without Durant and Irving, the Nets have split their last two games.