Nets' Kevin Durant, James Harden, Kyrie Irving expected to play Saturday vs. Bulls

The Brooklyn Nets are on track to have their three most important pieces on the court together ahead of the upcoming playoffs. 

ESPN's Malika Andrews explained Friday afternoon that Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving are all expected to be in the lineup for Saturday's showdown with the Chicago Bulls. That "big three" have thus far played in only seven games together since Harden joined the Nets via a January trade.

"If everything stays the same, those three will play tomorrow," Brooklyn coach Steve Nash told reporters after Friday's practice. 

Durant and Harden both missed considerable time this season with lingering hamstring issues. Per ESPN Stats & Information:

Just Harden and Irving have played in 19 games together. Durant and Irving have played in 17 games. Harden and Durant have played in just three games as a pair — including Wednesday's win over the San Antonio Spurs, which was Harden's first game since April 5.

According to ESPN stats, Durant leads the Nets in scoring with 27.5 points per game. Irving is second with 27.2 PPG, followed by Harden at 25.1 PPG. 

Brooklyn begins the weekend in second place in the Eastern Conference standings at 46-24 overall, one game behind the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nets finish the regular season Sunday versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.