Nets' Durant to play at Golden State after COVID-19 scare

Feb 5, 2021; Brooklyn Nets power forward Kevin Durant (7) drives with the ball against Toronto Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam (43) at Barclays Center. Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Nets' Kevin Durant available to play at Golden State after COVID-19 scare

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/12/21

Fans may not be able to attend because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Brooklyn Nets superstar Kevin Durant will nevertheless make an emotional return on Saturday.

According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, Brooklyn coach Steve Nash told reporters on Friday that Durant is cleared to return from a COVID-19 absence and is scheduled to be available for Saturday night's matchup at the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors are planning two tribute videos for Kevin Durant ... one Saturday night when Durant makes his on-court return to the Bay Area and another next season when fans are back at Chase Center
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 12, 2021

Durant was pulled from a 123-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 5 due to contact-tracing protocols and missed the following three games. Nash's comments ahead of the weekend offered the latest indication that the 32-year-old didn't test positive for COVID-19 during the midweek.

Durant famously won two championships and two NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards with Golden State but left for Brooklyn in the summer of 2019 while recovering from the ruptured right Achilles he suffered in that year's Finals versus the Raptors. Durant sat all of last season out and then faced the Warriors in Brooklyn on the opening night of the current campaign.

"I had some great years in Golden State. Looking forward to being back in the Bay Area, but it's a shame the fans won't be there"

- Kevin Durant on facing the Warriors tomorrow pic.twitter.com/YrLQAsDEdf
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) February 12, 2021