If there was still any doubt left about Kevin Durant’s status this season, Durant himself dismissed it in an interview with Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. He’s not coming back.
One day after his mother, Wanda, was seen on TODAY saying, “I know he’s not going to play this year,” Durant told Rooks the same thing. It was his most definitive statement on the subject of his return.
When Rooks asked KD if there was any chance he’s coming back this season, Durant first responded, “No, I don’t think so,. Not for now,” Rooks demanded and got a definiite answer.
“NO! No. The best thing for me is to continue the rehab, get as strong as I can and focus on next season,” he said, after admitting he’s itching to play.
BREAKING: Kevin Durant has ruled himself OUT for the rest of the season, setting his sights on 2020-2021 Opening Night. pic.twitter.com/c17FOQedTL
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 19, 2020
Durant did tell Rooks that he’ll be proud to rock a Nets uniform come October.
“Putting on that jersey and actually representing Brooklyn on the road, that’s going to be an exciting time as well.”
Kevin Durant on what the Nets might look like when he finally suits up:
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 19, 2020
“Putting on that jersey and actually representing Brooklyn on the road, that’s going to be an exciting time as well.”
(via @BleacherReport, “Take it There” w/ @TaylorRooks) pic.twitter.com/Hh6vQehfX0
So, we’ll know the precise date when KD will return in six months, when the 2020-21 schedule is released the first week in August.
Hang in there, everybody.
Meanwhile, new videos of him working out in L.A. with Nets assistant Ryan Forehan-Kelly emerged. More progress.
The hits keep on coming. Here’s KD with a hard drive right using his injured Achilles to explode.
— Billy Reinhardt (@BillyReinhardt) February 19, 2020
(via Tony Durant, tdurant on IG)#THEYSLEEP https://t.co/JhIgCogzSK pic.twitter.com/AK6l4B9fBX
Here’s the full interview where he talks about acclimating himself to New York explains some of his old tweets, shares the impact Kobe had on him during the 2012 Olympics, and his new ventures.