#Nets star exits with thigh contusion

Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was forced out of Sunday’s game in Miami with a left thigh contusion and won’t return.

After scoring eight points 1:33 into the game, Durant drove past Andre Iguodala and was fouled by Trevor Ariza.

Durant, an 88-percent free-throw shooter this season, missed both of his foul shots. He stayed on the court, but favored one leg and was seen fiddling with his left thigh.

The 32-year-old eventually checked out of the game with 7:57 left in the first quarter.

The Nets can only hope the injury is minor and doesn’t linger, considering Durant’s importance to their championship hopes and his recent health history.

Durant missed 18 months after rupturing his Achilles while playing in the NBA Finals for the Golden State Warriors in June 2019.

He missed 23 consecutive games this season with a left hamstring strain, having returned April 7, and has appeared in just 24 of 57 games this season.

Durant had played five of the six games since returning, as he was rested Wednesday in Philadelphia as the tailend of a back-to-back.

Durant came into Sunday averaging 28.1 points, seven rebounds and 5.4 assists. With only 15 games left on the schedule after Sunday, the Nets’ Big 3 – Durant, Kyrie Irving and the currently hamstrung James Harden – have only started six games together all season.