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LOS ANGELES — While Kevin Durant could be rejoining the Brooklyn Nets later this week when they are back in New York, Steve Nash says Kyrie Irving will need between a week and two weeks to ramp up before making his season debut.

Durant and Irving remain in health and safety protocols and are not with the team in Los Angeles, where the Nets beat the Clippers 124-108 on Monday night. But the team returns to New York after the game, and the Nets could have Durant and center LaMarcus Aldridge out of protocols and back with the team when they play Philadelphia on Thursday.

“I think there’s a good chance Kevin will be,” Nash said after the team’s shootaround about whether Durant will be back with the team when it gets back home. “With Kyrie, I’m not so sure, but it’s coming. He’s already been [in protocols since Dec. 18]. … He’s got to be getting close.”

Aldridge entered health and safety protocols on Dec. 14 along with five other Nets. The other five — James Harden, James Johnson, Bruce Brown, DeAndre’ Bembry and Jevon Carter — were all cleared and played in the Nets’ win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas.

Durant and Irving went into protocols on Dec. 18. The day before, the Nets announced Irving would be returning to the team to play on a part-time basis. Because of New York City’s vaccine mandate, Irving is not allowed to play in home games at Barclays Center or at Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks.

Since the point guard has not practiced on a regular basis with the team since early October in training camp, Nash says it will take Irving time to ramp up. The Nets have yet to see Irving on a court since deciding to bring him back into the fold because he went into health and safety protocols.

“It’s hard to say, but I would say probably somewhere between a week and two weeks,” Nash said of the ramp-up. “He’s obviously been isolating so that kind of puts another layer to the ramp-up. It’s not like he’s been working out so probably I’d imagine it’s going to be closer to two weeks once he comes out of protocols. We’ll just have to see how it goes, though, because we have to evaluate him from a physical and performance standpoint and a basketball standpoint as well.”

After concluding this two-game trip in Los Angeles, the Nets only have two road games in their following nine games after Monday’s game at the Clippers. They play at Indiana on Jan. 5 and then at Chicago on Jan. 12.

If Irving doesn’t play in those games, the Nets could have him at Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 17 for the start of a four-game road swing.

Harden said on Saturday that having Irving back, even on a part-time basis, “will be huge for us.”

“Hopefully we can get him back full-time,” center Nic Claxton said. “But it’s definitely gonna be scary hours [with Irving back]. I think he’s gonna break the game for us, and make things easier for everybody on the court. And I’m just, I’m ready to get my brother back.”

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Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced on Monday.

He joins teammate Jae Crowder and head coach Monty Williams in the protocols. Elfrid Payton, who entered protocols on Sunday, returned in Monday night’s 114-113 home loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

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The NBA on Monday agreed to reduce the length a vaccinated, asymptomatic player must quarantine from 10 to six days, according to a memo obtained by ESPN.

The Suns (26-6) hosted the Grizzlies on Monday night and play the Oklahoma City Thunder at home on Wednesday night before traveling to Boston on Dec. 31.

Backup center JaVale McGee started in place of Ayton. He had six points and fouled out after playing just 22 minutes.

Ayton, 23, has averaged 17 points and 11 rebounds in 24 games this season.

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Hawks All-Star guard Trae Young was cleared from the NBA’s COVID-19 protocols on Monday and returned to the starting lineup as host Atlanta lost 130-118 to the Chicago Bulls.

Young, who entered the game leading the Hawks in scoring (27.3 points per game) and assists (9.3 per game), had 29 points, 9 assists, 1 rebound and 2 turnovers in 40 minutes in his return.

Young had missed three games while in the league’s health and safety protocols after a positive COVID-19 test. Atlanta was 1-2 without him. He returned two negative tests to be eligible to return.

The Hawks’ roster has been depleted by COVID-19 issues. Atlanta still had 10 players listed out for virus reasons for Monday’s game against the Bulls.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Health and safety protocols continue to be a concern around the league. Several stars sat out their teams’ Christmas Day matchups, including Trae Young, Luka Doncic and Kevin Durant, though James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to action for Saturday’s slate of games.

Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks past the Boston Celtics, while Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors took the rubber match against the Phoenix Suns. Harden and the Brooklyn Nets overcame LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on the final Saturday of the year.

In the last Power Rankings of 2021, our NBA experts break down each team’s New Year’s resolutions. How can the league-best Warriors and Suns get even better? Can Kyrie Irving improve the Nets as a part-time player? Can the Bucks’ Big Three stay healthy? Can James and the Lakers find consistency in the new year?

What about the teams fighting for contention? Who needs to add a player before the deadline? Here’s where all 30 teams can improve in 2022.

Note: Throughout the regular season, our panel (Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Nick Friedell, Andrew Lopez, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin and Ohm Youngmisuk) is ranking all 30 teams from top to bottom, taking stock of which teams are playing the best basketball now and which teams are looking most like title contenders.

1. Golden State Warriors
2021-22 record: 27-6
Previous ranking: 2

After knocking off the Suns on Christmas Day, Steve Kerr and Co. don’t appear to have many worries. The key for this group is to get healthy and keep the momentum rolling in the second half of the season. In the short term, that means getting Andrew Wiggins, Damion Lee, Jordan Poole and Moses Moody out of health and safety protocols and getting Klay Thompson (ACL and Achilles rehab) and James Wiseman (meniscus rehab) back in the next few weeks. — Friedell

2. Phoenix Suns
2021-22 record: 26-6
Previous ranking: 1

It’s hard to find much to improve upon in a team with the second-best winning percentage in the NBA. But the Suns are in the bottom five in the league at just 10.6 second-chance points per game and 24th overall in offensive rebounds per game. Of course, those things are easier to deal with when you’re third in the league in scoring and second in field-goal percentage. — Lopez

3. Brooklyn Nets
2021-22 record: 22-9
Previous ranking: 3

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Although Brooklyn has welcomed back Kyrie Irving, his immediate entry into the NBA’s health and safety protocols has delayed his official return to the court. The Nets, with their title aspirations, will hope to successfully navigate a truly unprecedented situation, having to incorporate a part-time player into their mix. Irving still can’t play in games in New York City due to its vaccine mandate. — Bontemps

4. Utah Jazz
2021-22 record: 23-9
Previous ranking: 4

Utah could use an athletic wing to address some of the perimeter defensive issues that cut their playoff run short last season. The Jazz had offseason trade discussions involving Joe Ingles, sources said. Ingles (an expiring $14 million contract) and a future first-round pick could generate significant interest in the trade market, but that would mean Utah giving up a critical role player who is a major part of the Jazz’s culture. — MacMahon

5. Milwaukee Bucks
2021-22 record: 22-13
Previous ranking: 5

The Bucks may not be dominating the regular season like they have in the past, but their team hasn’t been truly whole for most of this year. Still, Milwaukee has to be encouraged that when its Big Three — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday — all start, they are 13-2 this season. Keeping them healthy for a chance to defend their championship should be the Bucks main resolution for 2021. — Collier

6. Chicago Bulls
2021-22 record: 20-10
Previous ranking: 6

Now that the Bulls have established themselves among the top teams in the Eastern Conference, they should look to fortify their rotation for the postseason. Adding a quality bench player at the trade deadline would help maximize this team’s potential this season. The bench, which is 29th in the NBA in scoring, could use a boost, especially in the frontcourt. The Bulls mostly rely on the group of Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and Derrick Jones Jr. in a guard-heavy rotation off the bench. — Collier

7. Miami Heat
2021-22 record: 21-13
Previous ranking: 8

Like so many other teams, one of Miami’s biggest issues is that it hasn’t found consistency early in the year because of a variety of injuries. Jimmy Butler is finally back after missing a few weeks because of a tailbone injury. Bam Adebayo is still out as he recovers from thumb surgery. Kyle Lowry recently entered health and safety protocols. If they get healthy, the Heat have the type of established veteran talent that no team would want to deal with in a playoff series. — Friedell

8. Cleveland Cavaliers
2021-22 record: 20-13
Previous ranking: 7

The Cavs would love to have Jarrett Allen teach Evan Mobley some of his post moves. As wonderful as the start to Mobley’s career has been — along with the team’s surprising success that’s gone with it — the rookie center is shooting 47.4% from the field while Allen, in his sixth season, is shooting a ridiculous 70.2%. Imagine if Mobley can trend in that direction? — McMenamin

9. Memphis Grizzlies
2021-22 record: 19-14
Previous ranking: 9

The Grizzlies have exceeded expectations, establishing themselves in the fourth spot in the West standings and strengthening that position during Ja Morant‘s 12-game absence due to a knee sprain. For Memphis to hold on to home-court advantage in the first round, the Grizzlies must figure out how to maintain their defensive success with Morant (116.1 points allowed per 100 possessions with him on the floor). It helps to have Dillon Brooks healthy. — MacMahon

10. Philadelphia 76ers
2021-22 record: 17-16
Previous ranking: 12

The 76ers’ biggest resolution could be figuring out what will happen with Ben Simmons between now and the NBA’s trade deadline. There may not be a bigger question in the NBA this season than whether the All-Star guard’s situation in Philadelphia will be resolved, and as a result, whether superstar center Joel Embiid will get some additional help to make a playoff push. — Bontemps

11. Denver Nuggets
2021-22 record: 16-16
Previous ranking: 11

The reigning MVP is shooting and rebounding better than a season ago, but Nikola Jokic doesn’t have Jamal Murray yet this season and he lost Michael Porter Jr. for the season. Murray’s return is uncertain after suffering a torn ACL last April. But if Jokic can keep the Nuggets afloat in the playoff hunt, a return by Murray will make them a dangerous team that few would want to see in the playoffs. — Youngmisuk

12. LA Clippers
2021-22 record: 17-16
Previous ranking: 10

The biggest issue for the Clippers is their health. They came into the season without Kawhi Leonard, whose return from ACL surgery looms in the background. But the Clippers have lost Paul George for at least the next month, but likely longer, due to a torn ligament in his shooting elbow. Reggie Jackson remains in health and safety protocols, though Marcus Morris Sr. just got cleared and is nearing a return. Tyronn Lue has shown he can extract more than people think out of a cast of role players, as he did last season. Now he has to keep the Clippers within striking range of a playoff spot until George, and possibly Leonard, return. — Youngmisuk

13. Charlotte Hornets
2021-22 record: 17-17
Previous ranking: 16

Wednesday, Jan. 5
Warriors at Mavs, 7:30 p.m.
Jazz at Nuggets, 10 p.m.

All times Eastern

Charlotte has a 114.2 defensive rating, which is the worst in the league. The Hornets are a young, exciting team, but if they can’t get a better defensive effort on a nightly basis they will never turn into the type of consistent playoff threat they hoped to be entering this season. — Friedell

14. Los Angeles Lakers
2021-22 record: 16-18
Previous ranking: 13

The Lakers need to find some consistency. They have used 18 different starting lineups through their first 34 games, which tops the league. With Anthony Davis out for at least the next month, L.A. will have to find a go-to lineup centered around LeBron James and Russell Westbrook that it can stick with and not fall too far behind the top four in the West. — McMenamin

15. Washington Wizards
2021-22 record: 17-16
Previous ranking: 14

Washington has exceeded expectations — even if it has cooled off after a hot start — but the Wizards still have room to get even better. With Bradley Beal in health and safety protocols, they have to stay afloat while their star guard is out. Washington isn’t close to being whole with Thomas Bryant still working his way back from a torn ACL. Rui Hachimura has yet to make his season debut due to personal reasons but is getting closer. Washington could be back to full strength by February, and if Beal starts playing like he has the past two seasons, the Wizards can solidify their place in the East’s top five. — Youngmisuk

16. Boston Celtics
2021-22 record: 16-17
Previous ranking: 15

Celtics coach Ime Udoka has stressed pushing the pace and increasing ball movement since taking over the job this summer. Yet Boston finds itself 20th in pace and in the bottom 10 in both assists and potential assists per game so far — all of which are helping contribute to Boston’s 21st-ranked offense. — Bontemps

17. Dallas Mavericks
2021-22 record: 15-17
Previous ranking: 17

The Mavs are light on assets required for rookie GM Nico Harrison to make significant roster upgrades, so improvement will likely need to come from within. Luka Doncic rounding into shape and returning to All-NBA form would be a great start. Dallas also desperately needs Reggie Bullock and Tim Hardaway Jr. to snap out of season-long slumps and shoot the 3 at clips closer to their career norms. — MacMahon

18. Atlanta Hawks
2021-22 record: 15-17
Previous ranking: 18

As ESPN’s Zach Lowe pointed out on Friday, Atlanta hasn’t been the best in transition defense this season. But one thing it has been good at is shooting the deep ball. The Hawks lead the league while shooting 37.8% from deep. Bogdan Bogdanovic is shooting 36.3% this season — above league average — and is still 12th on the team for anyone who has attempted a 3-pointer this season. If the 3s continue to fall at that rate, it’ll allow Atlanta some room for error as it gets healthier to fix the defense. — Lopez

19. Toronto Raptors
2021-22 record: 14-16
Previous ranking: 20

Toronto has been true to its preseason defensive expectations in terms of playing fast, athletic and small. The Raptors are among the bottom five teams in the league in opposing offensive rebounding rate and they are among the top five teams in the league in forcing turnovers. If Toronto can improve the former, and keep the latter, the Raptors can move up from the middle of the pack in defense and make a push to return to the playoffs. — Bontemps

20. Minnesota Timberwolves
2021-22 record: 15-17
Previous ranking: 19

Minnesota looks like it could grab a spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament this season and in both Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves have a pair of young stars they can build around. Edwards’ continued development and Towns’ quiet excellence should give the Wolves a good foundation to build on and in 2022, they should continue to surround that duo with talent that complements their games. — Collier

21. New York Knicks
2021-22 record: 15-18
Previous ranking: 22

Coach Tom Thibodeau’s teams have always been known as being hard-nosed defensively. That’s what makes it particularly jarring to see New York sitting at 23rd in defensive rating almost halfway through this season. The Knicks have plenty of problems, but if they want things to improve, getting the defense right would be a good place to start. — Bontemps

22. San Antonio Spurs
2021-22 record: 14-18
Previous ranking: 25

San Antonio is fourth at preventing opponent’s free throw attempts but is also near the bottom in the league in getting to the line. Derrick White and Keldon Johnson are San Antonio’s only two players averaging at least three free throws a game. A few more trips to the line would go a long way in helping the Spurs attempt to get back to the playoffs after missing the past two seasons (after making 22 in a row). — Lopez

23. Indiana Pacers
2021-22 record: 14-20
Previous ranking: 23

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The Pacers have built around the same ensemble of players for years, yet they haven’t broken through to challenge the conference’s true elite and are currently in line to miss the playoffs this season. For Indiana, finding a direction in 2022 should be essential. Can the Pacers stay on the course with the same core and expect to compete, or is a roster shakeup on the horizon? — Collier

24. Portland Trail Blazers
2021-22 record: 13-19
Previous ranking: 21

From the investigation into and then firing of GM Neil Olshey to the trade speculation surrounding Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, Portland’s season is on the brink. The organization needs to decide whether to change the roster around Lillard or make sweeping changes and rebuild since the Blazers are six games under .500. Or, they can stick with what they have and hope that the team finds its groove with rookie coach Chauncey Billups and make a run for a playoff spot. — Youngmisuk

25. New Orleans Pelicans
2021-22 record: 12-22
Previous ranking: 27

A healthy Zion Williamson would be a big boost to a team that seems to be figuring things out. After a 3-16 start, New Orleans is 9-5 in their past 14 games. The Pelicans announced Williamson received an injection in his foot on Dec. 15 and that he would be reevaluated in 4 to 6 weeks. Adding Williamson to the lineup could help the Pelicans with their push for the play-in tournament. — Lopez

26. Sacramento Kings
2021-22 record: 13-21
Previous ranking: 24

The Kings need to find better looks on the perimeter. They rank 24th in the league in 3-point percentage and 24th in assists per game. The stats are linked, of course. It takes smart spacing and crisp passing to generate great opportunities from deep in today’s game, with defenses hyper-aware of the 3-point line. Tyrese Haliburton, who has topped 10 assists in four straight games, could be the key to getting the Kings on track. — McMenamin

27. Oklahoma City Thunder
2021-22 record: 12-20
Previous ranking: 28

Oklahoma City’s rebuild is still in its early stages, but rookie Josh Giddey and 22-year-old Lu Dort seem to have established themselves as long-term core pieces alongside franchise cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. So it makes sense to keep giving Giddey, a gifted passer, and Dort, a lockdown defender who has made huge strides as a scorer, plenty of room to stretch their wings offensively, even (or especially) if it costs OKC a few wins this season. — MacMahon

28. Houston Rockets
2021-22 record: 10-23
Previous ranking: 26

No. 2 overall pick Jalen Green‘s development is, and has always been, the top priority for Houston this season. The Rockets’ sudden surge to competitiveness coincided with Green missing an extended stretch due to a hamstring strain, but the biggest factor was Houston’s shift to a small lineup, which should give Green more space to operate now that he’s back. He used his time off to make his shot release smoother and quicker, which paid off during Green’s 20-point, 25-minute performance in his return. — MacMahon

29. Orlando Magic
2021-22 record: 7-27
Previous ranking: 29

Orlando needs a talent influx. The hope is that injured building blocks Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac return in the near future to provide a lift after rehabbing knee injuries. The same goes for Jalen Suggs, who is recovering from a thumb fracture. If all three players return and can help the young group find some consistency, it could alter the Magic’s lottery odds into the spring. — Friedell

30. Detroit Pistons
2021-22 record: 5-27
Previous ranking: 30

The Pistons hit lottery gold in 2021 by landing the No. 1 pick in the draft, Cade Cunningham, to jump-start their rebuild. They still, however, have the fewest wins in the NBA this season. Their biggest resolution in 2022 should be some progress from their young players to give hope that, perhaps, brighter days are ahead for Detroit basketball. — Collier

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Amid swirling rumors about his job security, Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy said Monday he is operating under the assumption that he will coach the team’s final two games of the regular season.

The Bears have never fired a coach during the season, but a new NFL rule allows teams to begin interviewing candidates during the final two weeks of the regular season if the coach is either no longer employed or has been given notice that he won’t return for 2022. Nagy denied a report last month that he had been told that he would be fired after the Thanksgiving Day game at the Detroit Lions.

The Bears (5-10) snapped a three-game losing streak Sunday with a 25-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but they are among eight teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention.

Asked Monday if he assumed he will coach out the season, Nagy nodded and said: “Yes.”

Earlier, Nagy said he was aware of no changes to the timing of the Bears’ annual evaluation process for coaches, which typically concludes after the regular season. He did note his players’ effort level in what was an otherwise meaningless game Sunday in Seattle.

“One thing you can always evaluate is effort from players,” he said. “You never know [what the result will be]. But you can always judge effort. We saw that yesterday. … You value that. It states to who the players are in this building. They deserve that and they deserve to have the feeling to win. It’s been a little while. When you get a chance to get a win, you’ve got to enjoy it. And for me personally, I’m just really happy for the players.”

Also Monday, Nagy announced that five players were returning from the reserve/COVID-19 list: wide receiver Allen Robinson, safety Tashaun Gipson, cornerback Jaylon Johnson, tight end Jesse James and running back Ryan Nall.

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Veteran center Greg Monroe made history by becoming the NBA-record 541st player used in the league this season when he checked in off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves in their 108-103 home win over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.Read More

Fireworks along the Chicago River | Provided

The show will kick off promptly at midnight along a 1.5 mile stretch of the Chicago River and lakefront.

The city plans to put on the largest fireworks display it’s ever undertaken to ring in the new year.

The show will be along a 1.5-mile-long stretch of the lakefront and Chicago River and will kick off promptly at midnight on New Year’s Eve, the city announced Monday.

The free display will be choreographed to a special music soundtrack and synchronized across eight separate launch sites along the Chicago River and in Lake Michigan near Navy Pier.

WGN-TV will be broadcasting the show and anyone wishing to see it in person can visit nyeblast.com for details on suggested viewing locations.

“Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to eat, drink and be merry at a variety of partner venues and events,” according to a news release from the city, which also encouraged people to get vaccinated and reminded people that the city is instituting a vaccine requirement for patrons of indoor dining, bars and gyms that begins Jan. 3

“This will be the largest fireworks display in the city’s history and one of the largest anywhere in the world,” said Arena Partners CEO, John Murray, who is producing the event again this year after a 2-year hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is so great that the City is open again and welcoming people back to our fantastic hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions.”

The show is made possible by support from the city and partners from the hospitality industry, which employs more than 90,000 workers.

“I’m thrilled that we are able to welcome back our New Year’s Eve fireworks and hope to continue this tradition into the future,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced in a statement. “Importantly, the display can be viewed outdoors where the spread of COVID-19 is less likely, so our residents and visitors should feel comfortable while masking up and social distancing or even watching safely from home. I look forward to welcoming a happy new year.”

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The duo continued looking like an unstoppable force in the 130-118 win, almost taking turns destroying the opposition. Just to make sure Atlanta couldn’t come back? Nikola Vucevic jumped into the mix.

It almost feels scripted at times this season.

As if Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan huddle before each game, and plot how they are going to take turns dissecting opposing defenders.

“OK, you had the fourth yesterday, so I’ll take the first tonight, you kill ‘em in the second … ‘’

Far-fetched?

A bit, but there is also some truth to it for the Bulls duo. Just call it more spur-of-the-moment than planned.

That was the case Sunday, as Indiana was trying to make a comeback late, and LaVine silenced it with 12 fourth-quarter points.

“The three of us spoke about what we wanted to do the next couple minutes offensively, and DeMar said, ‘Hey listen, Zach has it going, let me space off of him and play off of what he does … let’s keep him going,’ ‘’ acting head coach Chris Fleming recalled of how the Bulls finished off the Pacers. “That’s kind of the attitude both of those guys have toward each other.’’

It continued in the 130-118 win over the Hawks on Monday, as LaVine and DeRozan remained one of the more lethal tag teams in the NBA this season, forcing the opposition to decide on which poison to pick.

In the opening quarter it was back to DeRozan, as the veteran forward put up 15 in that first stanza, and did so efficiently, connecting on both three-pointers he took, and going 5-for-6 from the field.

Then in the second with the Bulls trailing, the LaVine takeover happened, as the All-Star guard not only helped run the surging Hawks down, but passed them on the scoreboard, as his 17 second-quarter points gave the visiting team the 69-63 halftime lead.

A lead that wasn’t really pressed until midway into the fourth, when the Hawks cut it to just three.

No worries, as Atlanta tried to shrink the floor on DeRozan the scorer, forcing him to switch hats to play-maker. All he did was feed Nikola Vucevic for back-to-back three-pointers, and then made a 13-footer for himself to hold off the Atlanta flurry.

Just to make sure, he then hit LaVine on a crafty alley-oop pass, seemingly draining the Hawks’ hopes of any sort of comeback.

By the time the fourth quarter ended, DeRozan had 12 points and three assists.

“We’ve been doing it all year,” LaVine said of back-and-forth he and DeRozan drop on teams. “He’s been incredible in the fourth quarter, so it’s been easy for me to almost be like, ‘Get him the ball and get out of the way.’ Because coming up to this point, I haven’t won like this, and this has been the best feeling I’ve had of winning. So it’s been real easy for me.

“We had that conversation before the season. Obviously, there’s going to be nights where I have it, he has it.’’

Then there’s Monday, where it felt like each of the Bulls’ “Big Three’’ had it. DeRozan led the Bulls (21-10) with 35 points, LaVine had 30, but Vucevic also left a big footprint on the game, finishing with 24, including 13 in the fourth.

And it wasn’t just the big man’s scoring. How about 17 rebounds, six assists, four blocked shots and four three-pointers? When it was pointed out to him that it was a stat line never achieved in the NBA, Vucevic gave a very Vucevic reply.

‘It’s nice to hear, but when it comes to those stats you can make up a stat with anything nowadays,’’ Vucevic said. “I feel like stats should be like generally five, 10, 15, 20, 25, so they’re consistent. I’m glad I played well and had a good all-around game that helped us win, but as far as that I don’t necessarily care to be the only player to ever do it.’’

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Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields #1 warms up before the Bears take on the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field, Monday night, Dec. 20, 2021. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Why is the Bears’ offense so impotent? Is it the scheme? The coaching? The receivers? The erratic defense? The O-line? The inexperience? Or the lack of young quarterback talent?

Here’s one takeaway from the Bears’ 25-24 road victory Sunday against the Seahawks: Maybe the quarterback situation truly is messed up.

And another: Maybe the Bears have been starting the wrong quarterback this season.

And finally: It’s possible young Justin Fields, the Bears’ 2020 first-round draft pick/savior for years to come, is a dud.

Let’s examine.

The Bears right now have three quarterbacks — two of whom are injured (Fields and Andy Dalton) — which gave third-stringer Nick Foles a chance to play.

As the game progressed on that icy, snowy field in Seattle, you kept waiting for Foles to prove he’s as antique and rusty as a barn nail. You knew the moment of failure was coming. And then it didn’t.

Foles’ passer rating was a decent 98.5. But his rating when it mattered — on the six-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that, coupled with the two-point conversion, won the game — was 158.3. Passer ratings don’t go any higher than that. Call it perfect.

Yes, it was only one game in a lost season for a 5-10 team with a coaching staff likely to be unloaded in a couple of weeks.

But it mattered because Bears coach Matt Nagy clearly felt pressured into starting the raw and uncertain Fields in 10 games this season — perhaps because he was as eager to see the 22-year-old play as fans were.

And the display by the former Ohio State star has not been pretty.

That’s what we have come to expect from rookie quarterbacks in the NFL. There’s a long history of rookies flailing about.

One huge reason is that those high-draft-choice quarterbacks invariably go to lousy teams, where failure almost can be counted on.

Lucky are the rookies who go to places where they can play — or sit for a spell — on teams that have solid offenses and coaching.

Think of Dan Marino being drafted by the Super Bowl runner-up Dolphins or Patrick Mahomes going to the Chiefs, who had averaged 11 victories a season the previous three years.

Then there’s Steve Young, who came from the U.S. Football League and got to sit behind Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana with the 49ers, and Aaron Rodgers, who was drafted to sit and learn behind Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre with the Packers.

The Bears have no such luxury. They were a bad team when they drafted Fields, and they’re a bad team now.

And Fields — who came out of talent-laden Ohio State, a school that never has produced a great NFL quarterback — has been erratic this season.

As Nagy said Monday: ‘‘We’re aware that when you draft a quarterback, there’s going to be some experiences and time that he needs to be able to get better and let the game slow down for him.’’

The game looked slow for Foles on Sunday. And he’s a quarterback with half the athletic ability of Fields. Even Dalton, when healthy, seemed more in control than Fields.

All the rookie quarterbacks have struggled (at least at times) this season — the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, the Jets’ Zach Wilson, Fields and the Patriots’ Mac Jones. The 49ers’ Trey Lance barely has played. Maybe he’s the lucky one.

What if the Bears had started Foles or Dalton all season — no controversy or yammering for Fields to play — and had something like an 8-7 record and possible playoff hopes? Would fans like that better? Isn’t winning games what we want?

Playing quarterback in the NFL — doing it well — is the most difficult thing in team sports. Nothing else compares. It’s like trying to make 15-foot putts while feral hogs charge at your legs.

Second-year quarterbacks can shine if they survive that first season. The Chargers’ Justin Herbert and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow are good examples. Herbert has thrown for 4,394 yards and 33 touchdowns so far this season, and Burrow just cranked out a 525-yard, four-touchdown victory Sunday against the Ravens. Both had their issues last season.

So we wonder: Why is the Bears’ offense so impotent? Is it the scheme? The coaching? The receivers? The erratic defense? The O-line? The inexperience?

And the dreaded final question: Is it the lack of young quarterback talent?

People say Fields will learn, improve, stop fumbling, stay healthy, shine. It’s possible.

But is it certain? No way.

When Fields plays next season, Bears fans won’t be nearly so forgiving.

I wish the young man luck and a hard shell. He’s going to need both.

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