The Brooklyn Nets affirm they are committed to upholding their obligation to a Christmas matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers, despite recent substantial setbacks to their roster due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
It is confirmed that Kevin Durant will not be part of the Nets squad traveling to LA. In a statement on Thursday, Nets head coach Steve Nash indicated that the team has been cleared under the NBA health and safety protocols, but players still entangled in the protocols (like Durant) are unlikely to be released in time for the game. This will put Brooklyn at a significant disadvantage, as Durant currently leads the NBA in scoring.
The Nets had their past three games called off after a major chunk of their players fell victim to the virus, resulting in a league-high of 10 players sidelined. Nash remarked, “We have been restricted in our actions,” adding, “but we will make the necessary adjustments as per the evolving regulations and guidelines.”
For teams to be eligible to compete, they must meet a minimum requirement of eight players. Nash mentioned that the Nets have sufficient players available for the trip to LA on Saturday. As of Thursday, 96 NBA athletes from 23 different teams were inactive due to Covid-related issues, mostly following a positive test.
