Nets' Kevin Durant out vs. LeBron James, Lakers on Christmas For COVID Protocols

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Brooklyn Nets December 24, 2021.

Nathaniel S.

The NBA's health and safety protocols will prevent Kevin Durant from playing in Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

While James Harden was cleared and will play, the Nets are not the only ones who will be out.

The Brooklyn Nets' best player this season has been the 33 year old, who has averaged 29.7 points, 7.9 rebound and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 38.2% from deep in 27 games.

He is playing 37 minutes per game, which is the most he has played since the 2013-14 season. He told reporters earlier in the season that he wants to play as much as possible.

I'm a basketball player. I would like to play 48 minutes. "That's just what it is." I'm coming off an injury and I'm playing more minutes, so it's a conversation to have with fans and media. If I can convince Coach to play me the whole second half, I'm going to do it. I'm going to get the most out of my basketball life because it's not that long. I enjoy being out there.

Losing KD for any period of time is a blow to the Nets, especially since he hasn't played yet.
The Nets are in first place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-9 record. If they want to maintain that position, they will need to have KD stay healthy.