The Nets had longed to regain their two absent stars on Sunday. They came halfway through, with Kevin Durant facing Oklahoma City, but Kyrie Irving faced the Thunder.
During he had missed all three previous games due to NBA safety and health protocols after coming in contact with someone who had COVID-19. But he tested negative several times to detect coronavirus, eliminated quarantine and was available against his former club.
Brooklyn was not so lucky with Irving.
Irving has played three games in a row for what the team called “personal reasons.” With an average of 27.1 points, his continued absence is a huge loss for the Nets. When asked if the team was satisfied with Irving’s explanation of his absence, Nash had a chance to say yes, but only replied that they kept the matter private.
Sources told The Post that the absence of the star guard had been linked to Wednesday’s riots at the Capitol by supporters of President Trump.
During Durant’s three-game absence, the Nets punctured the Jazz by 36, overtook the Eastern Conference’s leading 76ers and dropped a heartbreak the following night in Memphis, in the back of a hard back.
“We went 2-1. I would say that this is what we have achieved in all three games and we have played basketball quite well by stretching “, said Caris LeVert.
“It will be important for all of us to maintain that momentum when these two return, because they are obviously a big part of our team and we need them to play well to do what we want to do. Therefore, I think it was good for us to gain our confidence, to get our appearance and things like that, because we will definitely need it in the future ”.
In Durant’s three-game absence, LeVert averaged 29.7 points and seven assists, shooting 50% and 47.4% deep. With Irving out on Sunday, Nash had another chance to keep LeVert in the starting lineup.
“Everyone is struggling with their own problems throughout this season, and the 2 of 3 in this league is pretty solid,” Joe Harris said. “To be an elite team where we want to go, we have to be a little better and have a slightly better win ratio. But for now, in terms of small wins, it’s a good step in the right direction.
“We’ve been playing – at least these last two games – in a more competitive way, I think, just drawing good energy. … I think we will withstand that momentum and it will obviously help a lot when we get Ky and Kevin back. “