Quick Hitters

Nets’ Durant ruled out for Tuesday with contusion

Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant will not play Tuesday when the

Nets visit the New Orleans Pelicans because of a left thigh contusion.

It will be Durant’s 34th missed game this season. He has appeared in 24, the latest of those being Sunday in Miami. He had to leave that game after four minutes because of the thigh issue, and Brooklyn went on to lose 109-107.

Brooklyn has also ruled out James Harden again because of his right hamstring injury.

Sharks’ Marleau breaks Howe’s NHL record

Patrick Marleau surpassed “Mr. Hockey” for the most games played in NHl history.

Marleau skated in his 1,768th career game to break Gordie Howe’s record when the San Jose Sharks took on the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday night.

Though it was on the road, an exuberant pro-Golden Knights crowd gave Marleau a rousing welcome during warmups.

Alex Smith retires after comeback from injury

Alex Smith retired Monday after making an improbable comeback from a gruesome broken leg, saying he’s ready to leave the NFl but believing he’s still able to play quarterback.

Smith made the announcement on Instagram a few weeks shy of his 37th birthday, hoping to enjoy more time with his family.

Smith earned AP Comeback Player of the year honors for getting back on the field last season, two years removed from an injury that required 17 operations. After breaking his right tibia and fibula in a game Nov. 18, 2018, against Houston, he said he wondered if he’d be able to take walks with his wife or play with his kids in the yard — let alone play in the NFl again.