Kevin Durant is shutting down speculation that he may play this season.
The new Brooklyn Nets star, who’s recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles, said on ESPN’s “First Take” Thursday that he won’t play in the 2019-20 season after suffering the injury in the NBA Finals with the Warriors.
Asked by Stephen A. Smith if he completely ruled out the possibility he could play this season, Durant said “yes,” and replied “I don’t plan on it” to a quick follow-up.
The Nets last month tried to douse talk of a Durant return, with GM Sean Marks saying the team isn’t planning on Durant playing.