Nets: Watch as Kevin Durant is removed from game versus Raptors (Video)
Nets star Kevin Durant was almost not allowed to start Friday’s game against the Raptors due to contact tracing.
It was a wild night for Kevin Durant after he was pulled from the game versus the Raptors due to COVID-19 contact tracing. Reports circled prior to the game that he’d been pulled, then he appeared on the court after having been cleared. But then was pulled again.
Watch that moment here.
https://twitter.com/usatodaynba/status/1357880310906707968?s=20
The NBA made a statement after he was removed.
Statement from NBA on Kevin Durant situation: pic.twitter.com/S6XvLUhAH2
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2021
Durant had been given the green light to play after clearing contact tracing, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN just minutes before tipoff after news he’d been pulled.
Kevin Durant will now play tonight, source tells ESPN. https://t.co/5a0L9HRUwV
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2021
Durant himself didn’t get another COVID test. There were additional tests for whom ever he came in contact with, along with clarifying the contact tracing procedures for this instance with the #NBA. The league eventually made the call and determined he was cleared to play. #nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 6, 2021
According to the team, the Brooklyn forward was almost forced to sit out the game with the Toronto Raptors on Friday because of league health and safety protocols.
Wojnarowski reported that Durant was undergoing contact tracing.
Kevin Durant is undergoing contact tracing, sources tell @malika_andrews and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2021
Kevin Durant is undergoing contact tracing, sources tell @malika_andrews and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2021
UPDATE — Durant ended up being removed from the game afterall.
Kevin Durant is out for the remainder of the game due to health and safety protocols. After missing the beginning of the game and subsequently being cleared to play, Durant is unable to play at the direction of the league, a source told ESPN.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) February 6, 2021
This would have been the second time this campaign Durant had to miss a game because of contact tracing. He underwent a mandatory quarantine for a week after being tagged as a close contact in January, missing three games.
The Nets have to wait and see whether this latest scare will result in a similar absence.
Durant is averaging 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists this season. Brooklyn is currently 14-9 and pushing to challenge the 76ers for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
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