NBA News: Kevin Durant Likely Won't Play If Season Resumes

The Brooklyn Nets are determined to let Kevin Durant rest until he recovers rather than risk reinjury.

The four-time scoring champion injured his right Achilles tendon in 2019 during Game 5 of NBA finals while playing for the Golden State Warriors in Toronto. Durant underwent surgery and is still recovering from it.

Since his injury, Durant, 31, left the Warriors to sign with the Nets in July, and signed a $164 million deal as a free agent.

"Kevin Durant's not coming back to the Nets this year," Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN's sports columnist said in his podcast, Reuters reported. "That's not happening. ... They're not playing him," Wojnarowski added.

Nets general manager Sean Marks hinted Durant's return in the play-offs as he is recovering well, he told Newshub. But he said this is not about the season, but about an elite athlete getting back to his perfect shape, whatever it takes. He said they are taking a long-term approach and would prefer Durant to recover fully before he gets back on the court.

Earlier reports also mentioned Marks saying Durant obviously wants to play, but there is more at stake than the NBA season. He said the course they are taking regarding Durant's recovery is a team decision and they would rather he recover fully than risk reinjury. Marks said they are not ruling out the possibility of Durant playing this season since he is still determining when he's ready, with his recovery being the main priority.

Durant sustained an injury on his right calf prior to his Achilles tendon rupture during the same game. He was also one of the four members of the Nets to test positive for coronavirus in March. The Nets did not disclose the names of the players, but Durant told The Athletic he was one of them.

Marks said Durant knows his body well, but he is uncertain how coming out of the coronavirus pandemic would affect people, let alone the basketball star.

The 10-time All-Star forward was the league's Most Valuable Player in 2013-2014 as a player of the Oklahoma City Thunders. He was a two-time NBA Finals MVP with the Warriors.