2 min read • January 09, 2023
Posted in
Brooklyn Nets star forward Kevin Durant left Sunday’s game with an apparent right knee injury that will likely keep him out for an extended stretch.
By video, Durant appeared to suffer a mild right knee MCL sprain when he was landed on by Heat forward Jimmy Butler in the third quarter, according to the Pro Basketball Docs.
He will receive an MRI on Monday but will likely miss multiple games, according to the Pro Basketball Docs. Depending on the severity of the MCL sprain he could be out until February.
MCL sprains do not require surgery and are typically not long-term injuries.
Durant missed 19 games after suffering a Grade 2 left MCL sprain and bone bruise in February 2017 and missed 21 games last season with a left MCL sprain and patella subluxation.
This MCL sprain should be on the milder side of those two, but the Nets’ 27-13 record could be a factor in how quickly he returns to the court.
The 34-year-old stayed in the game for an offensive possession, then a defensive possession before exiting to the locker room. He missed the rest of the team’s 102-101 win over Miami.
Prior to exiting late in the third quarter, he had 17 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 30 minutes on 5-11 from the field and 1-3 from 3-point range.
This season, he’s averaging 30 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocks on 56% shooting from the field and 37.6% from 3.
The Brooklyn Nets are currently +800 to win the NBA Finals, while Durant is at +1000 to win MVP.
Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons will likely take on bigger scoring roles with the 12-time All Star sidelined.
The Nets had a 25-12 record without Durant in 2020-21 and an 8-19 record without Durant last season.
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