LOS ANGELES – Kevin Durant, who was forced to come off the bench for the first time in his NBA career on Friday, was pulled from the Brooklyn Nets contest in the third quarter because of COVID-19 protocols, according to officials.
The strange turn of events started with Durant being ruled out of the starting lineup moments before the beginning of the Nets’ 123-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors because someone he came into contact with earlier Friday had an inconclusive test for COVID-19.
Durant then checked into the game halfway through the first quarter and remained until being removed with nine minutes left in the third quarter of a tight contest by a Nets official. A visibly frustrated Durant threw his water bottle as he headed down the tunnel to the Brooklyn dressing room.