The Brooklyn Nets defeated the Miami Heat 102-101 in the NBA, but lost the efforts of its star Kevin Durant with a knee injury during the third quarter.
Sharjah 24 – Asaad Khalil:
The Brooklyn Nets continued its strong performances in the recent period and achieved a hard-fought victory, 102-101, at the expense of the Miami Heat in the NBA, but lost the efforts of its star Kevin Durant with a knee injury during the third quarter.
The Memphis Grizzlies also kept the struggle for the top spot in the Western region burning by defeating the Utah Jazz 132-118.
Durant, who averages 30 points per game for the rising Nets, was injured a minute before the end of the third quarter, after Heat player Jimmy Butler collided with him.
Durant remained on the field for some time trying to keep playing before he left for the dressing rooms.
“He’ll be evaluated tomorrow, and then we’ll have more information,” said Nets coach Jack Vaughn.
He added, “He will likely undergo x-rays, just to make sure he is in good condition.”
Kyrie Irving was the best scorer for the winning team with 20 points, while Durant finished the game with 17 points in 30 minutes.
Miami advanced 101-100 after a series of successful attempts by Butler, but after Irving missed a triple attempt 5.5 seconds before the end of time, the Nets player Royce O’Neal succeeded in catching the ball and recording the winning basket.
Butler was the best scorer for the Heat with 26 points, but he missed the winning effort in the last second.
Despite the concerns about Durant, Vaughn expressed his happiness with the performance of his team, which increased its tally to 27 wins and 13 losses, just one game behind the Boston Celtics, the leaders of the Eastern Conference.
“You have to give the players some notice for keeping calm,” the Nets coach said.
