Will Kevin Durant play on Christmas Day?

The Brooklyn Nets have announced that Kevin Durant and seven other players will not be able to play in their Christmas matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers as they have not cleared the NBA’s covid-19 health and safety protocols.

The seven other players who have been ruled out are Kyrie Irving, LaMarcus Aldridge, Cam Thomas, Day’Ron Sharpe, David Duke Jr., and Kessler Edwards.

Relying on Harden

Nets head coach Steve Nash said they will however have the services of nine-time All-Star James Harden, who tested out of protocols on Thursday. Forward DeAndre’ Bembry, shooting guard Bruce Brown, and forward James Johnson will also be available to play as they have likewise been cleared to get back on court.

Nash said there is still a very slim chance that Durant will be able to play, if the league and the National Basketball Players Association come to an agreement that would revamp the protocols and reduce the mandatory quarantine period from 10 to only seven days. This might clear the 33-year-old for action as he entered protocols on Dec. 18.

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Waiting game

“I honestly don’t know what the rule change will be or how it will affect us. I guess anything is possible and we’ll see when the time comes. Right now, I can’t answer that,” he said.

Nash admits that with the health conditions of the team, it will be a challenge to formulate his game plan.

“We just do the best we can. We got a lot of guys coming off an extended break. Nobody’s in great condition so we have to manage the group, try to be as competitive as possible and at the same time, be careful,” said the head coach.

The Nets will fly to Los Angeles to challenge the Lakers on Christmas Day. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. ET.