Durant could return from Achilles injury in time to face Warriors in March: report

Brian Lewis isn’t a doctor. But he plays one on the internet.

There is a growing sentiment around many in the #NBA that Kevin Durant could be back this season. Remains to be seen. #Nets

— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) September 22, 2019

Actually, Brian Lewis covers the Brooklyn Nets and the NBA for the New York Post. So his word carries some heft. Especially when he gets Nets GM Sean Marks to go on the record.

“I know KD is taking the rehab process ultra-serious,” Marks told Lewis. “He wants to come back as soon as it’s appropriate, and healthy and the right decision for him.”

But if this authoritative word carries heft, it also carries shock value. Durant, the erstwhile Warriors misfit (his characterization, not ours) was supposed to be out for the 2019-20 season rehabilitating the Achilles tendon he tore in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Or maybe not so shocking. About six weeks after Durant’s injury, a chief of foot and ankle surgery at Mount Sinai Health System said he felt Durant would be 90 if not 100 percent after rehab, and while making no promises, said “I’d be pleasantly surprised if he did come back (next season).”

Since having surgery and signing with the Nets, we have seen (through the magic of TMZ and social media) Durant rehabbing in a pool and walking without crutches on the mean streets of North Hollywood. There was little to suggest that he might beat the standard diagnosis of “Take the year off and call me in the morning.”

Lewis’ reporting could herald a game-changer. Especially given a healthy Durant (with his sidekick Kyrie Irving) could make the Nets a trendy pick as Eastern Conference front-runner.

As an aside, should Durant manage to pack 365 days of comprehensive rehab in 277 days, he would be back by March 12 when the Nets visit the Warriors at the Chase Center.

Unnecessary advice for Durant: Beware of Go Fever. His most recent two NBA games ended with him being helped from the floor.