Kevin Durant has had an eventful layoff from basketball as he continues to nurse a hamstring strain, and was at the forefront of the news cycle earlier this week when an exchange with Michael Rapoport included homophobic slurs and plenty of profanity.
Durant addressed the exchange on Thursday night after the Nets' win over the Hornets, apologizing for his choice of words with Rapoport, who shared the exchange on his social media accounts.
"I'm sorry that people saw that language I used," Durant said. "That's not really what I want people to see and hear form me. Hopefully I can move past it and get back on the floor."
Getting back on the floor looks to be a sooner-than-later situation for Durant. Shams Charania of The Athletic reported Thursday that Durant was nearing a return from a hamstring strain that has kept him for seven weeks, and Durant told reporters on Thursday night that he is indeed close to getting back on the court.
"I feel great," Durant said. "I feel like It'll be soon that I can be back out there with my teammates…mainly just working out and trying to stay ready, keeping my stamina up and sharpen up my skills so I can be able to transition back smoothly."
Durant was on an MVP pace before his injury, averaging 29.0 points per game in 19 games, and when he initially suffered the injury, he didn't anticipate a return taking nearly as long as it has now, as he hasn't been in a game since Feb. 13.
"I actually didn't think it was that bad," Durant said. "Just a regular strain. I thought it was grade one. It felt like that. Then I got a second scan and they said it was a little deeper than that. It's one of those things where I'm not feeling a ton of pain, but you don't want to force one of these injuries and go out here and make it worse. So in my mind it's like 'I can play,' but at the same time you have to be cautious and smart with these kinds of injuries, so just try to be patient with it all and rehab as hard as I can."
Durant has played in just one game since Feb. 5, but the Nets won't rush him back, as they have bigger goals. They already hold the top spot in the Eastern Conference and want all of their stars back as they make a push for an NBA title. Still, Durant wants to get back on the court as soon as possible, though head coach Steve Nash said he doubts Durant will play Sunday against the Bulls or Monday against the Knicks.
"It's been too long for me," Durant said. "Hopefully I can get back out there soon."
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