Nash: Durant will play vs. Warriors after clearing protocols

Kevin Durant will play Saturday against the Golden State Warriors after missing the Brooklyn Nets' last three games in accordance with health and safety protocols, head coach Steve Nash said, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times.

Nash said he doesn't expect a minutes restriction for the star forward, according to The Athletic's Alex Schiffer.

Saturday will mark Durant's first game in Golden State since he left the franchise as a free agent in 2019. He faced his former team for the first time in Brooklyn's season opener, registering 22 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals in a 26-point win.

"I had some great years in Golden State," Durant said Friday about returning, courtesy of the New York Post's Greg Joyce. "I look forward to being back in the Bay Area. But it's a shame the fans won't be there."

Durant was forced to enter the NBA's health and safety protocols midgame against the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 5.

After an inconclusive COVID-19 test by a close contact kept the 10-time All-Star out of the starting lineup for the first time in his career, Durant entered the game later in the first quarter. However, the league removed Durant from the contest after the close contact recorded a positive test result.

The former MVP then criticized the NBA for the decision as Brooklyn lost with him forced to quarantine.

While the Nets will get Durant back, they'll be without starting center DeAndre Jordan. The 32-year-old will miss the game due to a non-COVID-related family matter, Nash said, according to Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News.