There’s “some internal optimism” in the Warriors‘ camp that Kevin Durant will be able to return for Game 5, but the day-to-day uncertainty regarding his status is frustrating his teammates, reports Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Sources tell Amick that many in the organization expected Durant to come back for Game 4 and play through the pain like Klay Thompson (hamstring), DeMarcus Cousins (quad), Andre Iguodala (calf) and Kevon Looney (collarbone fracture) are all doing. Amick points out that the decision isn’t Durant’s to make. His availability is determined by trainer Rick Celebrini, who hasn’t deemed him ready to play.
Two sources say that Game 5 has always been the earliest realistic date for Durant’s return. He still hasn’t been able to practice since straining his left calf May 8 in the conference semifinals.
Still, there was tension in the locker room Friday night among some players who didn’t understand why Durant didn’t try to take the court in such a pivotal game. The Warriors had a chance to tie the series on their home court, but now they head into tomorrow night with their season on the line.
Looney describes the difficulties Golden State has faced throughout the playoffs as a series of injuries repeatedly disrupted the rotations.
“It’s never knowing who’s going to play the next game, not knowing who’s going to be out there, what rotations we’re going to do,” he said. “That’s tough, but the character of our team is that whatever happens, whoever’s out on the court, we’re all accountable to get the job done. We’ve got great leaders in Steph, KD and Draymond (Green), and there ain’t no excuses. If we’re out there, we’re going to try to win.”
Looney insists the Warriors have remained united through all the trials, and said Green gave a strong rallying speech after the Game 4 loss.
“He made sure we had our heads up,” Looney said. “Said ‘Stay confident, know who we are. We didn’t get here by quitting and pouting or giving up. We always believe, and we’ve got a bunch of guys who have been underdogs and who have been counted out before.’ I think we’re going to embrace this challenge more. Everybody probably thinks we’re going to lose now. And being the underdog again, like we haven’t been in a long time, it’s fun. We’ll try to go out there and prove everybody wrong.”
Sounds like the 2018 Kawhi Leonard situation brewing all over again. Bye bye Durant July 1
I love it! A frustrated team loses championships!
Like the Rockets. Or in their case, just loses…not championships.
Or should the headline be raptors win championship because facing a injured warrior team? Reminds me when the warriors won their first championship against a injured Cavs team.
Because facing an injured Warriors team? That’s not the reason the raptors are winning. It’s because they are and have been the superior team. Injuries happen to every squad, nobody feels sorry for you. Raptors are missing a huge piece in OG as well. KD is obviously a game changer, but even with a full healthy KD, I would argue that the Raptors are still the better team, and it shows. Let’s go Raptors!!!!!
Who is “OG”???
So that’s the built in excuse, the Warriors are hurt? Uh, they won before Durant got there…..
I am convinced the Durant injury is an achilles tear. The way he reacted to it at the time, and his subsequent description of how it felt, all points to an achilles issue.
That the Ws would not mention it is strange. Are they trying to not give hope to their rivals? Or to try and buoy the spirits of their team, ‘Hold the fort, KD will come back soon!’…
Agree. You don’t grab the back of your ankle for a calf strain. On the other hand if he had a partial Achilles tear he either should be in a cast, a boot or should have had surgery. Doubtful we will see him again in 2019.
Good point, is the whole thing a ruse. But it backfired if the team had waiting fot his return in the back of their minds. Also, he’s cleared now, so there would be legalities involved for the doctors.
The photo of where the ice pack was after “practice” again suggests an Achilles injury. There is a percutaneous repair for a partial tear that could conceivably have an athlete back in about 6 weeks. I’m betting it was that and he’s at least a week away.
lots of similarities to the ncaa tournament where players tend to “pull-up” and go quietly into the draft.. cupcakes with sprinkles pls
Gotta like that one
Trouble in paradise?
Love how all you doctors out here made your false diagnoses and judged the team and KD’s loyalty. Smh
I truly think the media is the cause of all of GSW problems concerning Durant.
I truly think that most basketball players will go out and give it a shot to play in the Finals if they were at least at 70%.
Another thing that bothers me is how the media is constantly saying things like “Does this game by Curry hurt his legacy? Does this game by Klay prove that he’s more important than Durant? Does Durant’s great playoff run prove he’s better than Lebron”? It’s like one great game or one bad one changes a players legacy? It doesn’t work like that.
Oh and Skip Bayless. Yeezus why does this guy still have a job on TV? He’s not fit to be a beat writer for the Adelphi University Panthers. Maybe not even the Blooming Prairie HS Awesome Blossoms (yes, that’s a real HS team). His disdain for “#2” is so obvious and his bias so clear. How can we take anything he says seriously.
TV sports news shows are toxic though I like Pardon the Interruption.
And credit to the Blooming Prairie school board for going for it.