Nets star Kevin Durant has been named the NBA’s Japanese Convention Participant of the Week, the workforce introduced Monday afternoon.
It's the fourth time Durant has gained Participant of the Week since making his Nets debut in 2020 and the thirtieth time he’s claimed the respect in his 15-year profession.
Durant helped regular the ship whereas Nets group grew to become the topic of a media superstorm within the aftermath of the fallout that led to Kyrie Irving’s minimal five-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the workforce. After a disappointing 1-5 begin to the season, Durant led the Nets on a 3-1 run. He averaged a conference-best 30.8 factors, 8.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in video games performed between Oct. 31 and Nov. 6, advancing previous Vince Carter for nineteenth place on the NBA’s all-time main scorer’s checklist.
On the season, Durant ranks third in scoring (31.5 factors per recreation) behind solely Dallas’ Luka Doncic (36 PPG) and Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.6). Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell ranks fourth (31.4) and Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry ranks fifth (31.0).
Durant can be the brand new proprietor of the NBA’s longest-ever streak of scoring 25 or extra factors to start out the season. Allen Iverson held the document earlier than Durant prolonged his to 10.
Durant missed your entire 2019-20 NBA season after struggling a ruptured Achilles’ tendon within the NBA Finals. He's averaging extra factors per recreation within the two-plus seasons after his damage than within the 12 prior seasons.
SIMMONS ACTIVE
The Nets dominated star ahead Ben Simmons accessible for Monday’s matchup towards the Dallas Mavericks. Simmons missed the final 4 video games on account of swelling in his left knee. He's additionally returning to motion after lacking your entire 2021-22 NBA season on account of a mix of psychological well being points and again troubles that required offseason surgical procedure.
“I don’t need to make that an excuse, however I had a swollen knee. It's what it's, but it surely’s taken care of now, so I’m glad I’m shifting [well],” he advised reporters in Dallas at shootaround Monday morning.
Simmons additionally stated his again points could possibly be chargeable for his knee bother.
“I believe general when you have one thing you’re doing in your left aspect, it sometimes impacts your proper aspect,” he stated. “I had a decrease proper again damage so it’s most likely a component to it. However as time goes on I want to remain on my power by way of left and proper knee. After which clearly proceed to do the work I’ve been doing on my again.”
Simmons advised reporters in Dallas he “feels nice” and expects to play 20 minutes towards the Mavericks.
After having fluid drained from his knee final week, he expects to should handle it shifting ahead.
“I believe you recognize as an athlete your entire physique you sort of should handle, even with my again, one thing I proceed to work on,” Simmons stated. “However clearly coming again I do know there’s gonna be completely different quirks and issues like that with my physique that I've to keep up and keep on high of. It’s been some time since I’ve performed, particularly this many minutes and back-to-backs and issues like that. So simply adjusting and staying on high of it.”
()