Kevin Durant Sidelined for a Month

Kevin Durant celebrates winning the Men's Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021
Kevin Durant celebrates winning the Men's Gold Medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Photo by Dave Shopland/Shutterstock (12249257cs)

The Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is expected to be sidelined for a month with an isolated MCL sprain of his right knee, league sources confirmed. The Nets announced Durant’s injury on Monday, adding that the forward’s injury situation would be reevaluated in two weeks.

Durant picked up his injury during the third quarter of the Nets’ 102-101 victory over the Miami Heat on Sunday night when Heat player Jimmy Butler fell back onto Durant’s knee after his shot was blocked by Ben Simmons. While Durant got up after a few seconds and appeared to attempt to play on, the Nets called a time-out 30 seconds later, during which Durant was taken out of the game.

In January 2021, Durant injured the MCL in his left knee, leading to him missing six weeks of action. He also missed over a month in 2017 due to a sprained MCL and a tibial bone bruise.

Durant will leave a big gap in the Nets’ roster during his absence, having averaged 30 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists this season, thereby being included in the conversation for this season’s MVP.