Reinforcements are on the way for the Brooklyn Nets as they announced on Tuesday that Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Kyrie Irving had cleared the NBA's health and safety protocols. Aldridge stayed in the league's protocols for a couple of weeks, while Durant and Irving were quarantined for 10 days.
Nets stars return after COVID-19 outbreak engulfs team
The trio's return is a major boost for the Nets, who battled a COVID-19 outbreak this month. A total of 10 players on the Nets' roster entered the league's health and safety protocols at the same time after testing positive for the deadly coronavirus. Paul Millsap, James Johnson, DeAndre' Bembry, Jevon Carter, James Harden, Bruce Brown, and Day'Ron Sharpe also tested positive for COVID-19, leaving the Nets short-handed.
That left the NBA no other choice but to postpone Brooklyn's three games as the Nets had trouble fielding the required eight players. Their home games against the Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets and their road game against the Portland Trail Blazers were rescheduled to later dates because of the player shortage.
Since then, the Nets have played two games; recording wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers. James Harden was back in the Nets' roster for both of those games, and he made an immediate impact with his tremendous play on the offensive end.
Harden stole the show on Christmas Day, recording a triple-double against the Lakers with 36 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 122-115 win. Two days later, he torched the Clippers, clinching 39 points, 15 assists, and eight rebounds in a convincing 124-108 victory.
Related Article: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving Test Positive For COVID-19 as Outbreak Hits Brooklyn Nets
When will Durant, Aldridge, and Irving return?
The return of Durant, Aldridge, and Irving will make the Nets even more formidable as they head into the new year. Durant has been a beast for Brooklyn this season, averaging 29.7 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game. The Nets are 20-7 with Durant in the lineup. Aldridge has provided quality minutes off the bench, averaging 14 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game this season.
They are expected to play in the Nets' next game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. In his last game, Durant went berserk against the 76ers before going into protocols, scoring 34 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out eight assists in a 114-105 win.
Irving will not be available for that home clash, though, due to his unvaccinated status. Irving's failure to comply with New York City's strict COVID-19 vaccine mandate makes him unable to play at either Barclays Center or Madison Square Garden.
Toronto has strict rules regarding unvaccinated players as well, meaning Irving can only return to the court on January 5 against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis. The Nets decided to roll the dice with Irving and give him a part-time role this season as Durant and Harden have been logging heavy minutes this campaign.
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