The Nets’ Big 3 is again reunited — but not on the court.
Kevin Durant and the returning Kyrie Irving joined James Harden and six other Nets in the health and safety protocols on a hectic Saturday ahead of the team’s matchup with the Magic at Barclays Center.
The Nets are immersed in a full-blown COVID-19 crisis and are scrambling to even field a team, officially signing two veterans on 10-day deals but still running out of bodies.
Durant, a front-runner for MVP, was the last star standing before he entered the protocols. On Friday, the Nets announced they would allow Irving to return as a part-time player, only appearing in road games, but his season debut will be delayed.
Because he is unvaccinated, Irving needs five consecutive days of negative tests before being eligible to resume basketball activities.
The Nets have a three-game road trip beginning Thursday. They then play seven of nine games at Barclays Center, so the star point guard will not provide immediate help.
There are more urgent issues, though, for the Nets, who now have nine players in the protocols, including the league’s leading scorer in Durant.
They officially signed forward James Ennis III and guard Shaquille Harrison, who both likely will need to suit up immediately. If both can play Saturday as well as David Duke Jr. (probable with left hip soreness), they would have nine available players.
There is not much room for further player loss. If a team has fewer than eight available players, a game would be postponed. Perhaps because of the need, Patty Mills, who the Nets had said a day earlier would rest, is expected to play. Nic Claxton is doubtful with left wrist soreness.
Durant and Irving join Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre’ Bembry, Bruce Brown, Javon Carter, James Johnson and Paul Millsap in the COVID protocols as the virus spikes across the country and wreaks havoc for several sports leagues.