NBA Notes: Nets, Kevin Durant, Cavs, Timberwolves, Rudy Gobert

Nets

The Nets are setting their sights on “bigger and better things” after their struggles earlier this season, according to star forward Kevin Durant. As it stands, they have won 121 straight.

“It was one of those years you reflect on and you see the turning points in the organization,” Durant said, via Nick Friedell of ESPN. “We’ve seen different moments that brought us together as a group. You see, at this point now towards the end of the year, you start to see us come together and perform what we’ve been looking to do these last couple of years, which was a solid team that plays hard every night.

“So we went through a lot in this calendar year, but we’re looking for bigger and better things in 2023.”

Durant added that having Jacque Vaughn as coach has undoubtedly helped matters. 

“When we came back for this season, the start of the season, there was a lot of talk in the summertime, but for us to bring the group back together and start the year was cool,” Durant said. “And then once Jacque became the coach and we started to move forward then, obviously that was a turning point for us.”

Cavaliers

• Forward Evan Mobley (ankle) has been upgraded to questionable for Monday’s home game vs. the Bulls. Mobley missed Saturday’s win in Chicago.
• But point guard Darius Garland (thumb) is doubtful. It appears the Cavs could be without Garland for another week or so.
• For more on the Cavs’ win over the Bulls, check out our East notes right here.

Timberwolves

Despite a somewhat uneven start, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and the Timberwolves remain committed to center Rudy Gobert and coach Chris Finch, per Dane Moore of Blue Wire Pods.

“Which is to say, as I get many questions, that I’d be shocked if they make a big change any time soon,” Moore relayed.

Gobert has come under fire from fans after being acquired from the Jazz in an offseason trade — especially now that Minnesota has lost six straight.

“We’ve got two options,” Gobert said, via Moore, “we can sit back and feel sorry for ourselves or we can just look ahead and understand that it’s still a long season and we’ve got a lot of time left if we keep that mindset of just keep getting better.”