This Stat Shows Nets Need Kyrie Irving Back More Than Ever

For the sake of Kevin Durant’s health, Kyrie Irving NEEDS to come back. 

Durant has played at least 38 minutes in each of the last 10 games. He’s currently second in the league in minutes per game and is on track to average his highest minutes per game since the 2014-15 season.

Durant, although he looks like the best player in the world sometimes, is still a year removed from an Achilles injury and missed a significant part of the season last year due to a hamstring injury. All these minutes are not ideal for a 33-year old star to play before Christmas even hits. 

Durant’s minutes aren’t by choice as much as by necessity. Without Kyrie Irving, it’s just Durant and James Harden – but Harden hasn’t been the same All-World player we’ve come to know him as. His numbers have dropped across the board. 

Along with Harden’s decline, the Nets currently have five players in the COVID protocol. If they are going to win it’s going to be on Durant’s back. Steve Nash has already come to terms with that reality. 

So far, Nash’s statement is true. The Nets are 7-3 in their last 10 games and are nearly three games ahead of the Bulls for the No. 1 seed. WynnBET also has the Nets as +325 favorites to win the NBA title this year.

The question is: How long is this sustainable?

Again, Christmas hasn’t even come yet and Durant is playing like the Nets are making a playoff push. Durant hasn’t played 38 minutes a night since his MVP season and that was eight years ago. 

If Kyrie doesn’t come back soon, there is a very real possibility that Durant’s legs are shot when the playoffs get here since he’ll have to carry the team every night for the next six months. Irving averaged 25 points per game last season on 50/40/90 splits. The Nets could use that right now, and so could Durant. 

On the bright side, this means it's pretty safe to bet the OVER on Durant's points moving forward.