The Nets were blown out by the Raptors on Monday night, and are in desperate need of their reinforcements to arrive with just 20 games to go in the season.
But head coach Steve Nash told reporters on Monday that Kevin Durant may be the only injured Net close to returning.
Durant, still working his way back from an MCL injury, won’t play Tuesday night, but Nash did say he is hopeful the superstar could make his return either against the Heat on Thursday or the Celtics on Sunday.
“Kevin is getting close,” Nash said. “He won’t play…[Tuesday], but hopeful for Thursday or Sunday. So Kevin is getting close, which is exciting.”
As for Ben Simmons, who is now dealing with a back issue as he continues his conditioning towards a season debut, Nash said not to expect him back this week, and didn’t indicate that his arrival is imminent.
“Ben is still working through a number of things and reconditioning,” Nash said. “He’s not gonna play this week but we’ll keep working at his timeline, and hopefully he can progress as well.”
Joe Harris’ season continues to appear in jeopardy, as he hasn’t elected for a second ankle surgery but doesn’t appear to be anywhere close to a return. With Simmons and Harris seemingly far off and Kyrie Irving not able to play in home games despite the latest vaccine mandate news in New York City, the Nets will have to hope Durant comes back this week to help pull Brooklyn out of a play-in spot. But help clearly won’t be coming from Harris any time soon.
“Joe is just working away at it,” Nash said. “There’s no real update, but he’s still fighting the good fight and seeing if he can progress.”
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