The Impact of KD’s Injury

January 17, 2022

By: Carlos Alvarez

Kevin Durant Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With MCL Sprain

The MVP hopes of Kevin Durant are likely dashed, but the Brooklyn Nets still have title dreams. The Nets’ star player suffered an MCL sprain over the weekend that’s expected to keep him out through much of February, but he should return by the playoffs. Brooklyn is already without Kyrie Irving for its home games due to local COVID-19 vaccination mandates, leaving James Harden as the only consistent member of the Big 3. A big loss for the Nets, but Brooklyn is still in a dogfight atop the Eastern Conference.

 

Eastern Conference Leaders

1. Bulls (27-14)

2. Nets (27-15)

3. Heat (27-16)

4. Bucks (27-18)

5. 76ers (25-17)

6. Cavaliers (26-18)

Full NBA Standings

 

Read: How the Kevin Durant Injury Impacts the Eastern Conference

 

Other NBA Highlights

 

Luka Snaps Grizz Run: The Grizzlies’ win streak came to an end at 11 games on Friday thanks to the Mavericks (112-85) and a triple-double from Luka Doncic (27-12-10).

 

Lakers Drop 3 in a Row: Los Angeles is reeling after its third-straight loss on Saturday via the Nuggets in a blowout (13-96). Nikola Jokic had a triple-double (17-13-12), and the Lakers are now below .500 (21-22).

 

Suns Shining Bright: Phoenix (33-9) rolled the Pistons on Sunday (135-108) thanks to 30 points from Devin Booker, and they’re back in charge of the league standings after winning six of their last seven in the midst of a Warriors’ lull. Golden State (31-12) is now three games back.