Nets aiming for return to action on Christmas

The Nets have enough players to fly to Los Angeles and play their Christmas showdown against the Lakers, though Kevin Durant might not be among them.

Coach Steve Nash said Thursday that James Harden has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols, but he said the Nets don’t expect any of their players still in the protocols to come out in time for the game. That would include Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer.

The Nets have had their last three scheduled games postponed — among the NBA’s nine postponements thus far — when a coronavirus outbreak left them with a league-high 10 players in protocols.

Teams need a minimum of eight players to start a game. Nash said the Nets have more than enough to do that.

By late Thursday afternoon, there were more than 90 NBA players dealing with a virus-related issue.

The NBA and the players’ union reportedly are near an agreement to reduce the 10-day quarantine periods for COVID-positive players, according to reports.

Colleges: The SEC and Big East conferences updated their policies for men’s and women’s basketball game postponements, cancellations and rescheduling to provide more leniency for teams that are unable to play because of spiking COVID-19 cases. The policies establish that teams will be required to play if seven scholarship athletes and one countable coaching staff member are available. The SEC gives teams the option to play with fewer players or coaches if they choose. If a team can’t play, both leagues say the game will be rescheduled or declared a no contest.

Tennis: Former world No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam champ Andy Murray of Scotland was given a wild card into the main draw of next month’s Australian Open. Murray, 34, now 134th after long injury layoffs due to hip surgery, is a five-time finalist at the Slam.