sport news Durant to undergo MRI TODAY after exiting Heat win with knee injury after ... trends now Kevin Durant to undergo MRI TODAY after exiting Heat win with knee injury after Jimmy Butler fell on him... as Nets nervously wait on star's status but Kyrie Irving admits 'he's in good spirits' Kevin Durant left Sunday's win vs. the Heat after Jimmy Butler fell into his knee And the Nets will find out Monday just how serious the injury is for their star Durant suffered a similar-looking injury in January 2022 and missed six weeks Brooklyn has been the hottest team in the league of late, winning 18 of 20 games Click here for all your latest international Sports news from DailyMail.com By Jake Nisse For Dailymail.Com Published: 16:05 GMT, 9 January 2023 | Updated: 16:12 GMT, 9 January 2023 Viewcomments Nets star Kevin Durant is set to undergo an MRI on Monday after exiting Sunday's 102-101 win over the Heat with a right knee injury, though there are hints of optimism that he'll avoid a long-term absence. Durant left the contest in the third quarter of the game after the Heat's Jimmy Butler fell into his knee after having his shot contested by Brooklyn's Ben Simmons. The 34-year-old went to the ground grabbing the inside of the knee, and briefly stayed in the game before deciding something wasn't right. Kevin Durant was hurt after Jimmy Butler fell into his knee after driving to the basket The Nets say that Kevin Durant is OUT for the remainder of Nets-Heat due to a right knee injury after Jimmy Butler fell on his knee on this play.Prayers up to KD ???? pic.twitter.com/v0PPP9Hfe1 — ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 9, 2023 While an extended absence for Durant could be potentially disastrous for the Nets, several members of the team were hopeful that the injury is not serious. 'He's in good spirits as we all are,' Kyrie Irving said of Durant after the win. 'The strength of our team is us picking each other up. Just being ready for whatever's thrown at us. Durant has played at an MVP level for the Nets this season, averaging 29.7 points per game Additionally, center Nic Claxton said, 'we hope he's available for next game,' while coach Jacque Vaughn said Durant would have imaging done 'just to make sure we're good.' And The Athletic's NBA insider Shams Charania told FanDuelTV on Monday that the Nets 'are gonna be hopeful that he’s gonna be able to make it back sooner rather than later,' while noting the team would likely take a cautious approach. Nonetheless, Durant's latest injury will undoubtedly feel like deja vu to fans and his teammates. It was just a week later from Sunday in 2022 when Durant suffered a sprained MCL in extremely similar fashion as teammate Bruce Brown collided with him on January 15. Kyrie Irving and Nic Claxton will take on heavier responsibility for however long Durant is out And that time, Durant missed roughly six weeks with injury rehab as the team's season cratered. At 27-15 when the forward went down, the Nets went 5-17 with him out - including an 11-game losing streak - as Brooklyn fell down the standings and James Harden requested a trade. With superior depth than last season, the Nets - second in the East with a 27-13 record - will feel they are better equipped to withstand a Durant absence. But the scare has surely put a damper on a scorching 18-2 run that has seen them revive their season. 'I think everybody just will have to step up,' Claxton said. 'This is not the first time that he's been out or Ky has been out. Everybody will just have to step up a little bit, and we'll be all right. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility