The overload for Brooklyn Nets stars has been evident. James Harden and Kevin Durant spent 41 and 40 minutes on the court, respectively, and were instrumental in the comeback over the Dallas Mavericks, which secured the lead in the Eastern Conference. In the season Durant is the seventh player in the league with the highest average playing time (36.2 min), and Harden is the ninth (35.9 min).
Durant scored 16 of his 24 points in the game in the Nets' effort to turn the score around, which had opponents 17 points ahead. In the post-game interview, asked about being sacrificed with too much court time, he showed team spirit and was ironic with journalists.
- I like being on court. In a game like tonight's, where we were having a bit of difficulty, we needed something more in the last quarter. The coach kept me and James on the court, gave us an extra push and it worked. Next time I'll stay 48 minutes for you to have something to talk about - he said, laughing and leaving the place.
For coach Steve Nash, increasing the veterans' court time is the basic strategy in a group that is still searching for an identity. He, however, sees a positive balance in the face of adversity.
- I am extremely proud of the group. We've faced a lot this year and we're at the top of the East. We had a lot of change. Ten new guys, Kyrie (Irving, sidelined for refusing to vaccinate against Covid-19) not with us, some injuries. Overcoming that and being competitive has been fantastic.
The Nets return to the court this Wednesday, at 13 pm UTC, against the Houston Rockets.