The Nets’ Kevin Durant is expected to return against the Miami Heat on Thursday night in Brooklyn.
He has been sidelined since mid-January with a left knee injury.
The Nets slipped badly in the standings in his absence, dropping from second to eighth in the East.
They went 5-16 without Durant, which improved their record to 32-31.
In 36 appearances this season, Durant has averaged 29.3 points.
He would rank third in the NBA in that count, had he played in enough games to make it into the official numbers.
The only one is in 70% of a player’s team matches. For Durant, that would mean 44 games.
Thursday’s match will be shown on Sportsnet 360 at 7:30 p.m.
Acquired last month, Ben Simmons is in the rehabilitation phase and will not play against the Heat.
Miami has beaten Brooklyn twice in as many occasions this season.
The Suns without Booker
Already deprived of the services of Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns will have to manage without Devin Booker.
The latter entered the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol.
He is averaging 25.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game this season. The Suns are scheduled to face the Portland Blazers in the evening.
