Brooklyn Nets stars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving took part in organized scrimmages at The Academy sports complex in Los Angeles last week, according to Chris Miller of NBC Sports Washington.
Washington Wizards guard John Wall was also among those participating, Miller reported. Both Durant and Wall missed the entire 2019-20 season following Achilles tendon surgeries. Irving missed the second part of the season, including the NBA restart, after shoulder surgery.
The scrimmages were put together by Durant and also included Wizards guard/forward Troy Brown Jr. and center Thomas Bryant, per Miller.
Durant and Irving are expected to turn the Nets into instant contenders under new coach Steve Nash in 2020-21.
Meanwhile, Wall last appeared in an NBA game on Dec. 26, 2018 — but the Wizards have high hopes a backcourt reunion with Bradley Beal will catapult them to the playoffs.
“A source in attendance tells NBC Sports Washington that Wall showed explosiveness, while showcasing a much improved 3-point shot,” Miller wrote.
Wall had already been taking part in 5-on-5 scrimmages with teammates prior to the NBA hiatus, but had to take a “step back,” per Miller, once the league suspended play.
Wall did participate in some scrimmages with Cleveland Cavaliers center Andre Drummond and draft prospect James Wiseman after the rest of the Wizards embarked on the Disney campus, Miller noted.
Next season is expected to start sometime in January, or perhaps even sooner.
