Durant’s knee improving, to be evaluated again in 2 weeks

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant is at least twoweeks away from returning to the Brooklyn Nets, though his rightknee is improving enough for him to resume some basketballactivities this week.

The Nets gave an update Tuesday on Durant’s recovery from asprained ligament in his right knee, saying he was evaluated Mondayand was progressing well.

The All-Star forward was examined by Dr. Riley Williams III atthe Hospital for Special Surgery, and Williams said Durant isprogressing as expected and can begin running and on-courtbasketball this week.

Durant was injured during a victory in Miami on Jan. 8, when theHeat’s Jimmy Butler fell backward into Durant’s knee. An MRI examrevealed an isolated sprain in his medial collateral ligament.

The Nets have won two straight after losing their first twogames without Durant. They said he will be reassessed again in twoweeks, leaving open the possibility he could return before the Feb.19 All-Star Game.