After missing the past three games because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols, Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant returned Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, scoring 36 points in a 129-116 loss.
Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, missed his third straight game for personal reasons.
The Nets have elected not to elaborate on Irving’s absence, with coach Steve Nash saying Friday that he has communicated with the All-Star guard but wanted to keep those conversations private. Asked whether he was satisfied with Irving’s communication level, Nash again said he wanted to keep that private, a sentiment he continued before the Nets faced the Thunder.
“All the communication with Ky between the organization I’m going to keep private,” Nash said Sunday, “but I’m sure you’ll hear from him at some point.”
Asked whether he had any idea of a timeline on Irving’s return, Nash said he did not.
Irving had started Brooklyn’s first seven games, averaging 27.1 , 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds.
“I don’t worry about [Irving] falling out of rhythm,” Nash said. “He’s a brilliant basketball player.”
Durant, who tested positive for COVID-19 last spring and is still showing antibodies in his testing, had a close contact exposure recently that forced him to sit out with a mandatory seven-day quarantine.
He had 11 rebounds and 4 assists to go along with his game-leading 36 points as Brooklyn lost its second straight.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.