The Miami Heat (41-22) will be the first team to see Kevin Durant since January 15 when he makes his return for the Brooklyn Nets (32-31) on Thursday night.
Kevin Durant had the Nets in first place in the East at the end of 2021. But then things began to unravel as Kyrie Irving continued to miss games, James Harden became discontent and Durant suffered an MCL injury. Now, the Nets find themselves in play-in spot as the 8th seed with 19 games remaining.
The return of Kevin Durant changes the optimism and narrative for them, even for this game.