Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) gets examined off the court during the first half of a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Kevin Durant ruled out against Raptors with thigh contusion

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 4/21/21

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant exited Sunday's game against the Miami Heat in the first quarter with a left thigh contusion and did not return.

According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, the injury will keep Durant sidelined for Wednesday's game against Toronto Raptors.

The Nets, as expected, say Kevin Durant (thigh contusion) will remain out tonight against Toronto in addition to James Harden (hamstring).
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 21, 2021

The 32-year-old suffered the injury after getting tangled up with Miami's Trevor Ariza as he was driving to the basket for a layup. He was playing in his fifth game since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for nearly two months.

Durant has been one of Brooklyn's best players this season, averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 54.3% from the field and 46.2% from deep.

The Nets are second in the Eastern Conference with a 39-19 record and a half-game back of the first-place Philadelphia 76ers. It'll be difficult for Brooklyn to eclipse Philadelphia for the top spot in the East without Durant but not impossible.

The Nets are also without James Harden, who is out indefinitely with a hamstring strain.

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