Nets plan to play Christmas; NBA, union evaluating protocols

By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Basketball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets don’t expect Kevin Durant to be available for their Christmas showdown against the Los Angeles Lakers. Coach Steve Nash says James Harden has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols, but he says the Nets don’t expect any of their players still in the protocols to come out in time for the game. Other players added to the league’s protocols Thursday include Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Washington’s Bradley Beal. Meanwhile, a person with direct knowledge of the matter says the NBA and players union are discussing whether to change the current protocols about returning to play after a positive test. That’s typically taken 10 days or more in most cases.