AP Photo/Noah K. MurrayBrooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant will not play in the All-Star game because of a knee injury, according to reports.
Chris Haynes reported during the broadcast of Tuesday's game between the Nets and Los Angeles Lakers that Kevin Durant is expected to be out through the All-Star Game. He hasn't played since the New Orleans victory.
The NBA announced the latest update in fan voting for the All-Star Game, and it shows that Kevin Durant leads the Eastern Conference forwards over other players.
He is shooting 52.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from the deep, which is why he is averaging 29.3 points, 7.4 rebound and 5.8 assists per game. While time away from the court will cost him in award voting, those types of numbers across an entire season could put him in the discussion for the Most Valuable Player.
Heading into the stretch run of the season, his overall availability is of more note for the Nets.
The All-Star Game will take place in Cleveland in February, meaning the Nets will be without their leading scorer for more than a month. The Nets are missing a lot of firepower because they are not allowed to play home games because of Irving's unvaccinated status.
When the team is at home, it puts more pressure on the role players because James Harden is alone.
The Nets and Bulls were both tied at 29-17 for the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
It will be difficult for any team in the East to eliminate a team with three of the best players in the league on the floor, especially one that has managed to compete for the top seed in the conference with so much attrition.
It is more important for Brooklyn that he is ready to go closer to the playoffs than it is that he will be on the floor for the All-Star Game.
