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There is no good news.
Prior to Saturday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Steve Nash said that Kevin Durant will undergo a seven-day quarantine and is expected to be welcomed back to the team on Friday. Fittingly, he’ll potentially be active against his former employer, the Golden State Warriors.
When asked about if any other player has tested negative or fall under the contact tracing with Durant, Nash said his whole group has been testing negative.
“Everyone has been negative, Kevin has been negative, everyone in our group in negative so hopefully that continues,” Nash said about his group. “He just has to go through contact tracing and seven days. We will welcome him back on Friday.”
The Athletic’s Shams Charania was first to the news regarding the context of Durant’s quarantine, reporting that Brooklyn’s superstar came in contact with a Nets staffer –– who later tested positive –– unmasked in a vehicle.
Durant was in a car with the team employee on three separate occasions Friday. The Nets‘ MVP candidate continues to test negative for COVID-19, sources say, as have all other Nets players and team staff. https://t.co/FbDSiypcTu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2021
As for Kyrie Irving, who will miss Saturday’s game with a right index finger sprain, he is expected to return Tuesday. Nash labeled his injury as day-to-day rather than a load management case.
“This one with Kai is not any load management. He generally has a swollen finger and took a knock to it yesterday so hopefully, it is day-to-day,” Nash said on Irving.
Here’s video of Nash’s full press availability...
Steve Nash's full pregame presser pic.twitter.com/aNzjN4Py2L
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) February 7, 2021
Nash also said he expects Norvel Pelle to be ready vs. the 76ers, who he played for last season. The game will be a reunion for both Pelle and assistant coach Ime Udoka. Iman Shumpert, who last played 13 months ago, isn’t ready yet, said Nash.
- Kevin Durant eligible to rejoin Brooklyn Nets on Friday, Steve Nash says - ESPN
- Durant out until Friday for coronavirus protocol reasons - Brian Mahoney - AP
- Kevin Durant must observe seven-day COVID quarantine - Brian Lewis - New York Post
- Like Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving misses Saturday’s game against 76ers - Greg Logan - Newsday
- Nets’ Kevin Durant must quarantine for seven days due to COVID protocols - Greg Logan - Newsday