On March 3, Beijing time, the 2021-22 NBA regular season was in full swing. Earlier today, nets officials posted a photo of Durant and wrote: "Back! It also means he will make a comeback tomorrow against the Heat.
Durant has missed 21 consecutive games since an injury at home against the Pelicans, during which time the Nets record is only a pitiful 5-16, during which time they have suffered a terrible 11-game losing streak. The Nets' ranking has suffered a cliff-like decline, from the first place in the East to the current eighth place in the East. So far this season, Durant has played in 36 games, averaging 36.5 minutes per game, contributing 29.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks, shooting 52% from the field and 37.2% from three-point range.
Durant is close to a comeback, but another net player is still far from coming back: new signing Ben Simmons. Simmons has been in a truce since moving to the Nets, unable to play due to persistent back discomfort. According to ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne, Simmons' recovery from his injuries has been slow and showing signs of recurrence. Another prominent ESPN reporter pointed out that as things stand, Simmons can't play against the 76ers on March 11.
Another celebrity, Brian Windhorst, gave a more pessimistic report, saying: "Simmons' agent Rich Paul told me that Simmons is now on weekly observation. Frankly, Simmons isn't close to a comeback, and Rich Paul doesn't even know if he'll make a comeback in March. ”
As a result, the Nets' strongest body still cannot be presented to fans. The Nets currently have a record of 32 wins and 31 losses, ranking only 8th in the East, three wins behind the 7th place Raptors.