Live Game Thread: Brooklyn Nets at Washington Wizards, 7:00 PM EST

The Brooklyn Nets are arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference, while the Washington Wizards are among the worst teams in the NBA. But, boy, Sunday night’s game between these two teams is going to be a doozy.

Among them, they have five of the top 15 or so players in the league. And three of those five players at one point all suited up for the Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook.

Harden, unfortunately, won’t suit up on Sunday night, but Durant and Westbrook are both expected to and with that always comes the ol’ “are they friends?” narrative.

Even without Harden this one will be lots of fun - I promise.

WHO: Brooklyn Nets (13-8) at Washington Wizards (3-12)

WHEN: 7:00 PM EST

WHERE: NBA TV (national), YES (local), WFAN (radio)

Game Preview.

The Wizards, of course, have a backcourt as dangerous as any outside of Brooklyn, with Bradley Beal and Russell Westbrook. Beal is currently averaging a league-leading 34.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists. His backcourt mate is once again averaging a near triple-double with 18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.6 assists. But it’s not working, thanks mainly to bad luck with COVID-19.

How bad are things? On Saturday, Scott Brooks said Saturday was their first practice with more than eight players in … 25 days. So, it’s hard to tell what Wizards team will show up and what they’ll be able to do.

As for the Nets, with Harden that means a lot more reliance on KD and Ky, which is how the Nets started out the season. Expect Bruce Brown to continue to start. He’ll be needed defensively.

For more on the Wizards check out Bullets Forever.