Nets superstar Kevin Durant out Thursday at Lakers
Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant won't be ready to return from a strained left hamstring for Thursday's nationally televised showdown with the reigning NBA champions.
As ESPN's Malika Andrews reported on Wednesday, the Nets have ruled Durant out for Thursday's matchup at the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant hasn't competed since a 134-117 win at the Golden State Warriors last Saturday and missed back-to-back contests due to the issue.
The Nets were without both Durant and guard Kyrie Irving for Tuesday's comeback victory at the Phoenix Suns. Irving was sidelined due to a sore lower back but is listed as probable to face the Lakers. James Harden scored a team-high 38 points in the win at Phoenix.
Brooklyn heads into Thursday second in the Eastern Conference standings at 18-12 overall. The Lakers are 22-7 and in second place in the West.
According to ESPN stats, Durant leads the Nets with 29.0 points per game, is tied for first on the team with 1.4 blocks, and is second with a player efficiency rating of 25.17. Irving, meanwhile, is second in scoring with 28.3 PPG and leads the Nets with a 25.40 player efficiency rating.
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