Kevin Durant’s February 2021 meeting with the Toronto Raptors became one of the strangest games of his Brooklyn Nets career. The superstar forward was initially removed from the starting lineup, later allowed to enter the game from the bench and then pulled from the contest again in the third quarter.
The unusual sequence was caused by the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Although Durant had repeatedly tested negative, a person he had interacted with earlier in the day initially returned an inconclusive test and later tested positive.
The incident created confusion for Durant, his teammates and viewers as the Nets attempted to follow the league’s protocols while the game was already underway.
Why Was Kevin Durant Pulled From the Game?
Durant was originally listed as a starter for Brooklyn’s game against Toronto on 5 February 2021. Before tip-off, however, he was removed from the starting lineup after the NBA was informed that someone he had interacted with earlier in the day had returned an inconclusive COVID-19 test.
The NBA initially allowed Durant to remain with the team while the test result was reviewed. The league’s rules at the time did not automatically require a player to quarantine when a close contact had only produced an inconclusive result.
Durant eventually entered the game during the first quarter, making the appearance unusual even before the later developments. It was the first time in his NBA career that he had come off the bench.
What Happened During the Game?
The situation changed during the contest when the person Durant had interacted with received a positive test result.
According to the NBA’s explanation, Durant was subsequently removed from the game as a precaution while contact tracing was carried out. The decision came in the third quarter, meaning Durant’s night ended despite having already taken part in the game.
The Nets ultimately lost to the Raptors 123-117. Durant finished the night with eight points, six rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes.
Durant Had Tested Negative
One of the most confusing aspects of the incident was that Durant himself had not tested positive.
The NBA said Durant had tested negative three times during the previous 24 hours, including two PCR tests on the day of the game. The concern was instead centred on his possible exposure to someone who subsequently tested positive.
That distinction was important under the league’s health and safety rules. The protocols were designed not only to identify players who had tested positive but also to manage potential exposure and contact-tracing situations.
Why Was Durant Allowed to Play Before Being Removed?
The sequence appeared contradictory to many viewers: Durant was not allowed to start, then entered the game, and later had to leave again.
The reason was the changing information available to league and team officials throughout the evening. The initial test result connected to Durant was inconclusive. Once the person’s positive result was confirmed, the circumstances changed and the league took additional precautions.
The NBA explained that its protocols did not require a player to quarantine solely because a close contact had an inconclusive result. Once the positive result was returned, however, Durant was removed from the game while officials worked through the contact-tracing process.
Durant’s Reaction to the Decision
The unusual circumstances understandably frustrated Durant. Television footage showed him leaving the court after being informed that he could no longer continue.
Durant also expressed his frustration on social media after being removed from the contest. His reaction reflected the uncertainty surrounding a situation in which he had tested negative but was nevertheless prevented from completing the game.
His teammates also questioned the sequence of events. The Nets had to adjust their plans in real time while playing a competitive game against Toronto.
How Did the Nets Respond?
The Nets were dealing with more than just the immediate impact of losing Durant during the game. The organisation also had to consider whether he would be available for upcoming fixtures and whether additional contact tracing would affect the roster.
After the Toronto game, the rest of the Nets were cleared to travel to Philadelphia for their next scheduled game, while Durant did not make the trip as officials continued evaluating the situation.
The incident was another example of how quickly NBA teams had to adapt during the 2020-21 season. Player availability could change shortly before tip-off or even during a game depending on test results and contact-tracing information.
Durant Had Already Missed Games Because of the Protocols
This was not Durant’s first experience with the NBA’s health and safety protocols during that season.
He had already missed games earlier in the campaign because of COVID-19-related protocols. The uncertainty surrounding player availability became a recurring challenge for teams across the league as they attempted to maintain regular schedules during the pandemic.
For a team built around a small group of high-level stars, losing a player of Durant’s importance could have an immediate effect on rotation, scoring and workload.
The Historical Significance of the Game
The incident was notable for another reason: it marked the first time Durant had appeared as a reserve in his NBA career.
Before that night, he had made 866 consecutive starts, according to the Elias Sports Bureau figures cited at the time. His unexpected appearance from the bench therefore became a statistical footnote even though the circumstances surrounding it were far more significant.
The game also ended a remarkable scoring run. Durant entered the contest having scored at least 20 points in each of his first 17 games of that season. He finished with only eight points against Toronto after playing just 19 minutes.
What the Incident Showed About NBA Health Protocols
Durant’s experience illustrated how complicated professional sports became during the pandemic. Testing was only one part of the process. Teams and league officials also had to consider potential exposure, close contacts, contact tracing and the timing of test results.
Those decisions could affect a player even when that player had not tested positive.
The NBA had introduced extensive health and safety measures during the 2020-21 season covering testing, travel, team environments, masks and interactions around games. The league also amended its protocols as circumstances changed during the season.
The broader evolution of sports during this period is useful context when looking at how professional competitions adapted to unprecedented circumstances. Our coverage of sports coverage and its local impact provides a broader look at the relationship between sport, audiences and communities.
What Happened After the Game?
Following the Toronto game, Durant was expected to miss additional time because of the league’s protocols. The NBA subsequently reported that he would be subject to a seven-day quarantine after being identified as a close contact of the individual who had tested positive.
That meant the impact of the incident extended well beyond the 19 minutes he played against Toronto. Brooklyn had to manage its schedule without one of its leading players while Durant waited to become eligible to return.
The episode became one of the clearest examples of how a player’s availability could be affected by contact tracing even when the player’s own test results remained negative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Kevin Durant removed from the Nets game?
Durant was removed because a person he had interacted with tested positive for COVID-19 during the game. The NBA then applied its health and safety protocols and removed Durant as a precaution.
Did Kevin Durant test positive?
No. The NBA said Durant had tested negative three times during the previous 24 hours, including two PCR tests on the day of the game.
Did Kevin Durant start the game?
No. Durant was initially removed from the starting lineup but was later cleared to enter during the first quarter. It was the first time in his NBA career that he appeared as a reserve.
How many points did Durant score?
Durant scored eight points in 19 minutes during Brooklyn’s 123-117 loss to Toronto.
Why did Durant have to quarantine afterwards?
After the game, Durant was identified as a close contact of the person who had tested positive. The NBA subsequently required him to quarantine under its health and safety protocols.
Final Thoughts
Kevin Durant’s removal from the Nets-Raptors game was an unusual moment in NBA history. He was taken out of the starting lineup, returned to the court from the bench and then removed again after the situation surrounding a contact changed.
The episode demonstrated how rapidly health and safety decisions could evolve during the 2020-21 NBA season. Even with multiple negative tests, Durant’s possible exposure meant that league protocols ultimately took priority over his ability to finish the game.
For the Nets, the incident was another reminder that maintaining a roster during the pandemic required constant adjustment. For basketball fans, it remains a memorable example of just how unpredictable professional sport became during that period.
