Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash has shown some concern for the amount minutes played for All-Star Kevin Durant has logged this season, and the team will monitor him closely as it navigates the next several games.
“It’s a really important topic,” Nash said per ESPN. “I don’t know we can continue to lean on him the way we have. It doesn’t feel right.
“I know he’s enjoying it. I know he’s enjoying playing at the rate he’s playing at and trying to bring his teammates along with him and all the responsibility that he’s accepted and crushed, basically. It’s just been incredible. But, at the same time, it’s not safe or sustainable to lean on him like that. There’s gonna be a lot of consideration, and we’ll have to figure out ways to give him breaks.”
Durant is currently averaging 36.9 minutes per game this season, the most he’s logged since his MVP season in the 2013-2014 season when he played 38.5 minutes per night. He currently stands at fourth place in minutes behind Fred VanVleet, O.G Annouby, and LeBron James. When asked about the workload, Durant was straightforward with his answer, telling assembled media he wanted to play.
“I just try to do what’s required, man,” Durant said when asked about his minute’s load after Tuesday’s win. “I mean, I want to be out there. I want to play. I want to win. So, it starts there.”
“Whatever I got to do to accomplish those three things, I’m going to do.”
