KD disappointed to miss Nets-Dubs clash at Chase Center again originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Since Kevin Durant left the Warriors to join the Brooklyn Nets in free agency during the 2018-19 offseason, he has yet to play in front of a crowd at Chase Center.
Durant missed the Warriors and Nets’ most recent matchup Monday, a 120-116 Nets comeback win, after suffering a sprained right MCL against the Miami Heat on Jan. 8.
After missing so much time due to injury, Durant is hoping to participate in as many games and activities possible moving forward, including the upcoming 2023 NBA All-Star Game.
“Yeah, I want to play. I want to be a part of all these events. I missed going back to Golden State, my previous home. So, it’s been three years since I did that. You see all this stuff pass by, so I want to participate in everything,” Durant said Thursday.
The last time the 34-year-old played in front of fans in the Bay Area was during the 2018-19 NBA season. Since then, Durant has played with no fans in the stands — as was the case during the 2021 COVID-shortened season — or missed the contest entirely.
In that game with no fans at Chase Center on Feb. 13, 2021, Durant scored 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting with six assists and five rebounds as the Nets won 134-117.
Brooklyn is 2-4 since Durant’s injury, with wins against Golden State and Phoenix Suns, though it appears that the Nets star might be close to returning, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
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It remains to be seen what kind of response Durant will get once he plays in front of the Bay Area crowd again at Chase Center.
However, considering the type of competitor Durant is, expect the star to put his best foot forward against his former team when the time comes.
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