MIAMI — Nets star Kevin Durant was forced out of Sunday’s game in Miami with an apparent right knee injury. He didn’t return and the severity is unknown.
Heat wing Jimmy Butler had his shot blocked by Ben Simmons with 1:05 left in the third, and fell awkwardly into Durant’s knee.
Durant was down for several seconds in discomfort, before being helped to his feet. He tried to stay on the floor, and play through the pain. But the Brooklyn star turned the ball over on the next possession, and looked to be massaging his knee on defense on the ensuing trip back downcourt.
The Nets took a timeout down 80-79 with 36.6 seconds left in the third. Durant didn’t take the court after play resumed, heading down the tunnel for evaluation and treatment. He didn’t return.
Losing Durant for any length of time would be catastrophic for Brooklyn. They went 5-17 when he went down with an MCL injury last season, including dropping 11 straight. That lack of fight in his absence contributed to his offseason trade request.