At a Glance
- Kevin Durant leaves Brooklyn Nets after a knee injury in his final game.
- Nikola Jokic also suffers a knee injury in Miami, set for evaluation in four weeks.
- Durant highlights the unpredictable nature of “freak” injuries.
- Why it matters: The incidents show how quickly star players can be sidelined, impacting team performance.
Durant’s Final Game with the Nets
Durant left the court after the Rockets beat the Nets 120-96 in his return to Brooklyn. He cited a “freak” injury that mirrored Nikola Jokic’s recent knee blow. Durant said the incident underscores how uncontrollable such events can be.
Kevin Durant stated:
> “One thing I don’t want to see with Nikola is like, they started calling me ‘injury prone’ after that, but hopefully they don’t start with him because it’s one of those freak injuries that you can’t really control,”
Kevin Durant added:
> “You can do all the work you can, but somebody falls into your knee, that’s just tough.”
Durant’s Injury History
- 2022: Sprained the medial collateral ligament of his left knee after teammate Bruce Brown fell into his leg, missing 21 games.
- 2023: Another sprain on the right knee when Jimmy Butler fell backward in a Jan. 8 game, ending his Nets stint before a trade to Phoenix.
- March 2023: Returned to the Suns after a 20-game absence.
Jokic’s Knee Injury
Jokic’s left knee buckled when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot during a play in Miami. He collapsed, grabbed his knee, and the Nuggets announced a four-week evaluation period. Jokic’s injury was a hyperextension, which may allow a quicker return.
Key Takeaways
- Durant’s exit marks the end of his Nets chapter after repeated knee injuries.
- Jokic is expected to return in about four weeks, potentially faster due to the nature of his injury.
- The incidents highlight the fragility of star players and the impact on team dynamics.
The injuries to Durant and Jokic serve as a reminder of how quickly top talent can be sidelined, reshaping team strategies and fan expectations.
