Nets in Trouble as both Kyrie and Harden are Out for Game 5

The Nets season could rest on the shoulders of Kevin Durant.

With their best-of-seven series against the Milwaukee Bucks tied at two a piece, it will be up to Durant to spark and lead the Nets to what will now be considered an improbable victory in Game 5. Both Kyrie Irving and James Harden will not suit up as they nurse injuries.

Irving suffered a right ankle sprain in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon, and didn't play at all in the second half. Harden hasn't played since the opening seconds of this series when he pulled a groin muscle in Game 1.

Ironically both All Star players were hurt while trying to drive through the lane to score.

Head Coach Steve Nash was mum on whether Irving would play again in this Eastern Conference Semifinal. Nash did say he would not rush back Harden just to fill the void left by Irving.

For a team that played only eight games all year with the Big 3 in tack, as they missed games for various reasons (injuries or in the case of Irving -- protests) it is ironic the Nets find themselves in this spot, because they have been in this spot virtually all season.

But this is the playoffs. These are the Milwaukee Bucks, not the Orlando Magic the Nets are playing against.

While Durant is certain to lead the way in scoring, he can't do it alone. The Nets bench -- once a plus was shredded in the deal to get Harden. They need Joe Harris to step up the way he did earlier in this series. They need Blake Griffin to be the Blake Griffin of old from his days in LA with the Clippers.

They need a win, bottom line. If this series heads back to Milwaukee with the Bucks up 3-2, it could be curtains. All eyes will be on Brooklyn on Tuesday night.

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