Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant was on Friday, pulled out from a 123-117 loss to the Toronto Raptors in the third quarter due to COVID-19 related health and safety protocols, reported ESPN.

According to a statement by the league, Durant was not available for the match earlier, after someone he interacted with earlier in the day had an inconclusive test result. However, Durant came off the bench and checked into the game at the 4:13 mark of the first quarter.

The statement read, “Durant was initially held out of the game while that result was being reviewed. Under the league’s health and safety protocols, we do not require a player to be quarantined until a close contact has a confirmed positive test.”

The league said that the person’s result returned positive during the game and therefore, Durant was removed from the game in the third quarter “out of an abundance of caution.”

While the rest of his Nets teammates have been cleared to travel to Philadelphia for Saturday’s game against the 76ers, Durant will stay back as he awaits a contact tracing result.

Durant was seen shocked when a Nets staff informed him that he is being pulled off. Later, he tweeted criticising the NBA.

Before going off the court, Durant had just 8 points on 3-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes, plus 6 rebounds and 5 assists.