Nets getting healthy ... and winning

Joe Tsai tweeted about the balance Friday night following the depleted Nets’ win over the Celtics...

Yes, you can win and get healthy.

The Nets had only 10 healthy bodies on Friday night and one of those, Mike James, met his new head coach during warm-ups after being signed hours earlier. Still, they won and now sit atop the Eastern Conference with the fourth best record in the league. The win also put the Nets 20 games above .500.

Now, with the publication of the Nets latest health status report, it appears the Nets will be less depleted when they face the Suns at Barclays Center Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Both Kevin Durant, who’s missed three plus games with a left thigh contusion, and Tyler Johnson, who’s missed 11 with knee soreness, are both listed as “probable.” The Nets will make a final decision on both before Sunday’s game. (Durant had been listed as “questionable” for Friday night before being ruled out.)

The Nets will still be missing five players, including James Harden (hamstring) and Nic Claxton (health and safety protocols) but having Durant back — with or without minutes restrictions — has to be encouraging. Sean Marks and Steve Nash have both said they expect the “Big Three” to be healthy by the post-season which begins May 19. There’s uncertainty about the return of point guards Chris Chiozza and Spencer Dinwiddie. In the meantime, newcomer Mike James, on a 10-day, will continue to get minutes.

• Nets’ Kevin Durant probable to return from thigh injury Sunday against Suns - Alex Smith - SNY
• Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant probable to return Sunday vs. Phoenix Suns - Malika Andrews - ESPN
• Nets’ Kevin Durant probable to return, join Kyrie Irving for rematch with Suns - Greg Logan - Newsday