Durant better, not yet ready to play

Kevin Durant is at least two weeks away from returning to the Nets, though his right knee is improving enough for him to resume some basketball activities this week. The Nets gave an update Tuesday on Durant’s recovery from a sprained ligament in his right knee, saying he was evaluated Monday and was progressing well. The 34-year-old All-Star forward was examined by Dr. Riley Williams III at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and Williams said Durant is progressing as expected and can begin running and on-court basketball this week. Durant was injured during a victory against the Heat on Jan. 8 in Miami, when the Heat’s Jimmy Butler fell backward into Durant’s knee. An MRI exam revealed an isolated sprain in his medial collateral ligament. “I want to play tomorrow if I can,” Durant said. “So that’s what my sense of urgency is. Obviously, I don’t want to rush anything. I want to make sure I’m 100%. But yeah, I want to play.” The Nets said Durant will be reassessed again in two weeks, leaving open the possibility he could return before the Feb. 19 All-Star Game.