The MVP campaign of Nets superstar Kevin Durant is on a brief pause.
On Christmas Eve, Durant was ruled out of the Nets' Christmas Day showcase game with the Lakers.
On Dec. 18, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that Durant had been placed into the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Nets' Kevin Durant has entered health and safety protocols.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 18, 2021
Durant was 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. After Durant, it was announced that Kyrie Irving and Day'Ron Sharpe had been placed in the health and safety protocols.
With 10 players in the protocols and sharpshooter Joe Harris out while recovering from an ankle procedure, the Nets have used the NBA's hardship exemption to sign three players. In response, the NBA has reportedly postponed the Nets' Dec. 19 meeting with the Nuggets and a Dec. 21 game against the Wizards.
The NBA is postponing the Wizards-Nets on Tuesday too, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/AK1B8f5FzI
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 19, 2021
The Durant news came on the heels of the Nets' announcement that Irving would be permitted to rejoin the team on a part-time basis. Now, what's next for Durant and the Nets? Here's what to know about his 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 the 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, he is confirmed to be vaccinated for COVID-19.Durant's result, which is either 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, he must spend a minimum of 10 days away from the team unless he returns two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.
In the past month, the Lakers' LeBron James, Malik Monk and Russell Westbrook have all tested out of the health and safety protocols, returning to the team in less than 10 days.
Will Kevin Durant play on Christmas?
Durant will not play on Christmas Day against the Lakers, reports the Athletic's Charania on Dec. 24, just over 24 hours from tip-off.
James Harden, Paul Millsap and Jevon Carter exited protocols on Dec. 23, but Nets head coach Steve Nash said, "we are not expecting anyone else to come out of protocols [in time for the Christmas Day game], but it is possible"
"I think you have to do two negative tests 24 hours apart," he continued. "I guess that gives us to tonight and tomorrow night to return two negatives, but we are not predicting anybody to come out necessarily."
Nets schedule 2021-22
| Date | Opponent | Time/Result | National TV |
| Dec. 18 | vs. Magic | L, 100-93 | – |
| Dec. 19 | vs. Nuggets | Postponed | |
| Dec. 21 | vs. Wizards | Postponed | |
| Dec. 23 | at Trail Blazers | Postponed | – |
| Dec. 25 | at Lakers | 8:00 PM | ABC/ESPN |
| Dec. 27 | at Clippers | 10:30 PM | NBA TV |
| Dec. 30 | vs. 76ers | 7:00 PM | NBA TV |
| Jan. 1 | vs. Clippers | 7:30 PM | – |
| Jan. 3 | vs. Grizzlies | 7:30 PM | NBA TV |
| Jan. 5 | at Pacers | 7:30 PM | – |
