NBA statement on Kevin Durant's initial absence and removal from Friday night's game

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The NBA has released the following statement regarding Kevin Durant's initial absence, and subsequent mid-game removal, from Friday's Nets-Raptors game:

Durant did not start Friday's game, but checked in late in the first quarter and played 19 minutes before being officially removed halfway through the third. The early absence snapped a streak of 866 consecutive starts - the fourth-longest to begin a career according to Elias Sports Bureau - and leaves him questionable fot the Nets' game in Philadelphia Saturday night.

KD has already missed time this season due to the NBA's health and safety protocols, sitting out a week in early January...and he was not impressed by the NBA's statement, according to his Twitter.

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