Kevin Durant expected back for the Nets on Thursday vs. Heat

Durant has missed more than 20 games with an MCL injury, and his absence has been greatly felt by his team. Brooklyn toppled from second place in the Eastern Conference to eighth and is now in danger of missing the playoffs altogether. 

The team also looks a bit different, with James Harden departing for Philadelphia and Ben Simmons joining the roster all during Durant's absence. With Simmons' debut with Brooklyn pushed back yet again and with Kyrie Irving still only able to participate in away games, a lot is riding on Durant to make an instant positive impact when he returns to the Barclays Center court on Thursday against a conference-leading Heat squad that is riding a four-game winning streak.

Despite the long absence, Durant still leads the team with 29.3 points and 5.8 per game and is second in rebounds (7.4) and free throw percentage (89.4).