For the first time in his 14-year year career, Kevin Durant came off the bench on Friday. And after missing the beginning of the game, he had to be pulled before it ended as well.
Somehow, COVID-19 protocols were to blame for both events.
The Brooklyn Nets star was unavailable for the start of Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to ESPN’s Malika Andrews. Further reports indicated Durant was undergoing contact tracing.
Durant was eventually allowed into the game, but the momentary benching had already ended a starting streak that spanned 866 regular season games and 139 playoff games in his career.
Nets scratch, clear and pull Kevin Durant in same game
Once Durant was on the floor, it was assumed the COVID-19 drama had ended. And then Durant was pulled in the third quarter due to health and safety protocols. By that point, Durant had played 19 minutes in the game, scoring 10 points with six rebounds, five assists and four personal fouls.
Durant, who previously contracted COVID-19 last March, didn’t seem pleased when told he had to exit the game.
Less than an hour later, Durant logged onto Twitter and added more intrigue to the situation with two words:
Per NBA: Nets’ Kevin Durant has tested negative three times in past 24 hours. Someone he interacted with this afternoon had inconclusive test result before game — then positive result returned during game, so Durant was pulled out of caution. Contact tracing underway on Durant.
