Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is off the NBA’s injury report and will make his return against the Miami Heat on Friday (PHT).
The 12-time All-Star has been sidelined since January with a sprained MCL in his left knee.
The news brings Brooklyn one step closer to having its three best players on the floor together. Ben Simmons, who was acquired at the trade deadline, is still preparing for his debut with the franchise but is currently dealing with back soreness. Kyrie Irving remains ineligible to play in home games, but that could change if New York City mayor Eric Adams relaxes the city’s indoor vaccine mandate.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, has gone 3-15 in its last 18 games.
The return of Durant should provide a major boost as the team welcomes back a nightly supplier of 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
The Nets are eighth in the Eastern Conference at 32-31 and have approximately five weeks to climb up the standings. If the regular season ended today, Brooklyn would be in the Play-In Tournament.
