ATLANTA — There are a half-dozen players on the Nets’ injury report going into Saturday’s key game in Atlanta, but the biggest news may be the name missing, with Kevin Durant expected to suit up against the Hawks in a game with play-in implications.
Durant had twisted his ankle coming down awkwardly after being fouled by Milwaukee’s Wesley Matthews on a 3-point attempt with 8.7 seconds left in overtime during the Nets’ 120-119 loss to the Bucks Thursday night. The fact he wasn’t listed on the injury report was an auspicious sign for the Nets.
“I’m hurting. That’s two games in a row a player walked up underneath me when I’m trying to make a basketball play. So my ankle’s hurting,” said Durant, who added he won’t miss the Atlanta game. “Nah, I’m good. It’s just a little sore, but you know how that goes.”
Bruce Brown (non-COVID illness) and Seth Curry (left ankle soreness) are both listed as questionable. The former took a hard fall Thursday after a Flagrant 2 by Khris Middleton with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter.
“The airborne player was in a vulnerable position and due to the contact, there was a high potential for injury,” crew chief John Goble had said via pool report. “Therefore, the contact was deemed to be unnecessary and excessive.”
Kevin Durant (left) and Kyrie IrvingGetty Images
Ben Simmons (return to competition reconditioning/back soreness), David Duke Jr. (G-League), Joe Harris (left ankle surgery) and Day’Ron Sharpe (G-League assignment) are all out.
The Athletic reported that “hope remains that (Simmons) will be able to ramp-up in time for the playoffs” after the All-Star had resumed light on-court workouts. But sources told The Post that Simmons hasn’t made any glaring progress in recent days and is still several steps away from even being cleared to practice, much less play.
With the regular-season ending April 10 and Simmons still not…