Garnett has not played since February 27.
Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd is refusing to put a timetable on the return of Kevin Garnett, with suggestions that he could sit out the remainder of the regular season.
The veteran forward has been sidelined with back spasms since the end of February, but the Nets have seemingly dealt with his absence well as they have gone 11-4 since he was ruled out.
Nevertheless, it is seen as vital that he is able to recover and feature in the playoffs given his experience and winning mentality, but it is unclear if he will have time to regain his conditioning and rhythm in the regular season with competitive action.
However, Kidd was unsure over when Garnett would be making his return to the court and believes that whenever he is able to make a comeback it will be a boost to the team.
“He’s played this game. It doesn’t change. If he gets to play before the playoffs, that’ll be great. If he gets to practice before the playoffs, that’ll be great. And if he had no practice or no games, for him being on the floor (in the playoffs) would help us dramatically,” he said, according to the New York Daily News.
“So however you look at it, him playing with us will help us. And game shape? He plays at a high level so he’s going to get tired no matter what.”
Mason Plumlee has stepped in to fill the gap left by Garnett over the last month, but naturally it would be a significant boost to have the former Celtics star back in the line-up for his effort alone as well as his influence on the defensive end and additional scoring.
Brooklyn are currently 38-33 for the season and sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, but they remain just a game-and-a-half adrift of the Chicago Bulls in fourth while the Toronto Raptors are only a game further ahead.
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