Kevin Durant enters NBA’s COVID-19 protocols; How many games will Nets superstar miss?

Nets superstar Kevin Durant’s MVP campaign could be coming to a brief hiatus.

On December 18, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Durant had been included in the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Durant becomes the eighth member of the Nets to be placed in the protocols, joining LaMarcus Aldridge, DeAndre Bembry, Bruce Brown, Jevon Carter, James Harden, James Johnson and Paul Millsap. With eight players on protocols and sniper Joe Harris out while recovering from an ankle procedure, the Nets have used the NBA’s hardship exemption to sign three players.

Durant’s news comes on the heels of the Nets’ announcement that Kyrie Irving would be allowed to rejoin the team part-time.

Now what’s next for Durant and the Nets? Here’s what you need to know about your status for upcoming games.

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Why did Kevin Durant enter the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols?

According to the NBA, a vaccinated player enters health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 or receiving an inconclusive COVID-19 test result. Because Durant has been able to play in home games, it is confirmed that he is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Durant’s result, which is positive or inconclusive, is part of a larger outbreak within the Nets organization, bringing the total number of players in the protocols to eight.

How long will Kevin Durant be out?

If an NBA player tests positive for COVID-19, they must spend a minimum of 10 days off the team unless they return two negative PCR tests within 24 hours.

In the past month, the Lakers’ LeBron James, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook have exceeded health and safety protocols and returned to the team in less than 10 days.

Will Kevin Durant play at Christmas?

Durant’s availability for the Nets visit on Christmas Day to face the Lakers depends on his time within health and safety protocols.

With Durant entering protocols on December 18, he would need to test out of protocols in order to speak before December 25. If Durant is out for a minimum of 10 days, he would lose at least six of the Nets’ next games.

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