Kevin Durant on Nets' 10-Game Losing Streak: 'We Know We're in Some Deep S--t'

The Brooklyn Nets are on a 10-game losing streak, and veteran forward Kevin Durant said prior to Saturday's game against the Miami Heat the team knows the situation it's in.

"We know we're in some deep s--t," Durant told reporters. "We understand that. … But with one win, things can change."

Saturday's game will mark Durant's 14th straight on the sideline because of an MCL sprain, and head coach Steve Nash said Saturday there is no timetable for his return. ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Jan. 16 the team was hopeful he would return in four to six weeks.

The Nets just dealt James Harden and Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers at Thursday's deadline for Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, Seth Curry and two first-round picks. Simmons likely won't be ready for game action for the foreseeable future after sitting out the entire season thus far, though Drummond and Curry should be available soon.

The Nets entered the season with high expectations after a second-round playoff exit to the Milwaukee Bucks last year. In fact, according to FanDuel, they were the front-runners to win the title by a large margin (+195; next closest were the Los Angeles Lakers at +600).

However, in addition to injuries—such as to Nic Claxton, LaMarcus Aldridge, Joe Harris and, most importantly, Durant—Kyrie Irving has been unable to play in home games because of New York City's COVID-19 vaccination mandate.

Irving remains unvaccinated and can only pay on the road, and Nets general manager Sean Marks recently said Irving is "frustrated" that he cannot play at Barclays Center.

The Nets enter Saturday's game eighth in the Eastern Conference at 29-26, although with how tight things are currently, one prolonged winning streak could get them right back toward the top of the standings.