Kevin Durant injury update: Brooklyn Nets star exits Miami Heat game with injured knee, set to undergo MRI scan on Monday
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant left midway through the game against the Miami Heat on Sunday night after suffering a knee injury. With rising concerns regarding the forward's health, Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn offered an update on the matter.
The Brooklyn Nets have enjoyed their fair share of glory in the last few weeks. With Kyrie Irving's return and resurgence reinvigorating the team, the Nets have looked like one of the best squads in the league.
After mounting a 12-game winning streak, the Nets managed to pick up right where they left off after losing 121-112 to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, January 5. In the process of notching a 102-101 win against Miami, Brooklyn extended their winning streak to two games.
While the glory associated with winning will be enjoyed, the Brooklyn Nets will be holding their breath. Over the course of the game, Nets superstar Kevin Durant suffered a knee injury after a collision with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. Durant left the game immediately after and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
The team managed to rally together and mount a fourth-quarter comeback. But concerns regarding Durant's health appear to be the prevailing concern.
Nets head coach Jacque Vaughn offered an update regarding Kevin Durant's injury during the post-game press conference. When asked about the injury, Vaughn said:
"Yeah, he didn't finish the game and just - right knee. He'll get evaluated tomorrow. Then hopefully I'll have some more info for you."
Vaughn added that the evaluation would include imagery (MRI) as a precautionary measure. He also appeared slightly more positive about the matter as Durant waited for the team in the locker room and congratulated them after the win.
When further asked to make assumptions about the injury, Vaughn said:
"I did not inquire about the knee or anything. I don't want to speculate. I'm going to knock on some wood and see what happens tomorrow."
Jacque Vaughn: Kevin Durant will undergo imaging on his right knee tomorrow after exiting the game early after a collision. https://t.co/xVDh6gezeW
Durant's injury status will certainly be closely monitored going forward. Considering the form he has been in, the superstar is a vital component of this Nets unit. At this point in the season, Brooklyn could face devastating consequences should Durant be ruled out for an extended period of time.
The Brooklyn Nets should be extremely concerned about Kevin Durant's injury
Kevin Durant has seemed like one of the best players in the league this season. While considering all the offseason drama with the team, Durant has certainly turned a corner and stepped up as a leader.
Read: Nick Friedell believes Kevin Durant is key for Brooklyn Nets to beat all odds: “He has proven he’s still at the top of the league”
This has had an immensely positive effect and can be gleaned from the Nets' tremendous winning record as of late. In light of his impact, the Brooklyn Nets should be worried about Durant's injury.
Durant left the game with a right knee injury after colliding with Jimmy Butler. In any other scenario, this would've been a smaller concern. But Durant has suffered a similar injury in the past as well.
Considering that the previous knee injury had him sidelined for a significant amount of time, the Nets have every reason to be concerned about his health.
Kevin Durant injured his knee when Jimmy Butler crashed into him
—Looks like MCL mechanism
Similar to his previous two knee injuries
https://t.co/XsTcXrIrhF
With some experts suggesting a potential MCL mechanism for the injury, Brooklyn will observe the situation with bated breaths.