Durant can’t start, can’t finish game for virus protocols

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant couldn’t start a game and then couldn’t finish it, removed in the third quarter because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Durant wasn’t available at the beginning of the Nets’ game against Toronto, eventually being cleared to enter in the first quarter. Once he did, it became his first appearance as a reserve in his 867 NBA games. Durant was informed in the third quarter that he needed to exit the game. Replays showed coach Steve Nash appearing to give the news to Durant, who walked toward the locker room area and threw a water bottle in frustration. The NBA said in a statement that Durant was removed because he interacted with a person who had a positive test. The league stressed that Durant had three negative tests in the last 24 hours.