Nets expect Kevin Durant to rejoin team on Friday following contact tracing protocols

Nets head coach Steve Nash provided some clarity to the Kevin Durant contact tracing situation on Saturday, saying that the team expects Durant to rejoin them on Friday, which would fall in line with the league’s seven-day contact tracing protocols.

“We found out recently that he can rejoin the team Friday, so I’m assuming that’s the seven-day contact tracing protocol,” Nash said. “We’ll see him Friday and I’ll be really excited to have him back.

“Basically I just got a text in the last 30 minutes saying that was the conclusion. I texted with Kevin last night but haven’t spoken to him today. That’s all I can give you. I just heard, and we’ll see him on Friday.”

Nash did reiterate that Durant continues to test negative, so if all goes well over the next week, Durant could make his return next Saturday, when the Nets play at Golden State at 8:30 p.m..

"Everyone’s been negative, Kevin’s been negative, so hopefully that continues and he just have to go through the contact tracing seven days and we’ll welcome him back on Friday," Nash said.

Nash wouldn’t identify the individual that Durant was in close contact with, but SNY NBA Insider Ian Begley can confirm, via league sources, that Durant was in a car with a team employee on three separate occasions on Friday, traveling from the facility for testing, home from there, and then to the arena that night.

ESPN and The Athletic had previously reported those circumstances.

Durant was initially deemed unavailable to start Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors, but played 19 minutes after being cleared, only to once again be told he had to sit out. The "bizarre" situation caused for some strong words from the Nets following the loss.

The Nets will be without Durant and Kyrie Irving (right finger sprain) for Saturday night’s game in Philadelphia.