If the 2021-22 Brooklyn Nets weren't facing enough challenges this season, they received probably the worst news they could get: Kevin Durant is out for the next month-plus with a sprained MCL.
Durant suffered the injury to his knee in Brooklyn's 120-105 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the realistic timetable for Durant's return is sometime after the All Star Break, which is between February 18-23.
The good news for Brooklyn is obvious, Durant is expected back before the playoffs begin in late April. He should be fully recovered by then. In addition 11 of the next 14 games are on the road, meaning Kyrie Irving will be on the court for Brooklyn. Last year the Nets went 16-3 in games where they only had Harden and Irving on the floor.
The Nets have put a lot on the shoulders of the 33-year old Durant since he signed with the Nets over two years ago. Last year he carried the Nets through the playoffs when the team was dealing with numerous injuries down the stretch.
This year he has had to carry them through a year where the team has been hit hard by both COVID, and Irving's absence from the team due to no vaccination against COVID.
Durant is averaging 29.3 points per game this year.
The Nets are 29-15, a half game behind the Chicago Bulls for the top seed in the East. Ironically, the Nets have really struggled at home this year, posting a record of 12-11. The Nets only hold a two-game lead over Philadelphia for first place in the Atlantic Division.
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