The Brooklyn Nets are in a tough spot now.
They have lost two of their three superstars due to injury in this second-round series.
These injuries have caused the Nets to lose a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Now the series is officially tied at 2-2.
Kevin Durant is the only one still playing close to 100 percent.
Kyrie Irving is out for what looks like the rest of the series.
James Harden hurt his hamstring almost a minute into Game 1 of the series.
He is going to try and give it a go for Game 5 due to Irving being out.
Nets‘ James Harden plans to play tonight in Game 5 vs. Milwaukee barring a setback in pregame warmups, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. He’s been upgraded to questionable.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2021
However, we saw this with Anthony Davis coming back too soon from injury.
We even saw a few years ago with Durant himself.
Harden likely won’t play a ton for the rest of this series.
That leaves Durant on an island by himself.
He is the only superstar left for the Nets.
Can he lead them past the Bucks?
It will be near impossible for Durant to lead the Nets to the Conference Finals by himself.
This is why.
He Already Looks Overwhelmed
After Irving went down in Game 4, all eyes were on Durant.
We were waiting to see if he was going to take over and will the Nets to a win.
Unfortunately, that did not happen.
Durant had a rough game.
P.J. Tucker was very physical with Durant throughout the game and had him frustrated.
P.J. Tucker held Kevin Durant to 9 points and 25 percent FG as his primary defender 🔐 pic.twitter.com/0nnOhC8hBo
— ESPN (@espn) June 13, 2021
He finished the game with 28 points, but on 9-25 shooting.
It was a rough game for one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
He looks like he is already feeling the pressure.
We have seen Durant overwhelmed before while he was the lone star.
“I have to be prepared to do everything out there just like I have to do every night.”
– Kevin Durant on his role without Harden and Kyrie
(via @Krisplashed) pic.twitter.com/w7H414hcXe
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 14, 2021
The Memphis Grizzlies series in 2013 when Russell Westbrook got hurt is an example of this.
Durant played great for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they ended up losing the series.
He was frustrated and had to force shots up every time he passed half court.
With Harden banged up and Irving out for a little bit, Durant might have to follow that same gameplan.
It might be too much for him at this point.
Age and Injuries
Durant is not a young guy anymore.
He is 32 years old, which isn’t alarming.
However, you have to factor in the injuries over the course of his career.
He has had a broken foot in the past, suffered some calf strains this season, and the Achilles tear in 2019.
Durant has suffered some bad injuries.
That has to be an issue at this stage of his career.
Obviously Durant can still score at a high level.
The issue comes in with how long can he do it for.
We have seen him this season play with these two other great players, but now he is almost all alone.
Unless Harden recovered from his injury in super speed, then Durant has to score at least 35 points per game from here on out.
The Bucks are a great team as well and are ready to force the issue onto Durant.
NEXT: Why Brooklyn Nets Are NBA Title Favorites This Postseason