6:39pm: Durant will play, Kerr told Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix and other media members during his pre-game press conference (Twitter link).
1:49pm: Warriors forward Kevin Durant is set to take the court for the first time in more than a month on Monday night, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who reports (via Twitter) that Durant plans to play in Game 5.
Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area (Twitter link) first reported that, despite being listed as a game-time decision, Durant was expected to be a “full go” for Monday’s contest.
Durant has been sidelined since May 8, when he suffered a calf injury during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Rockets. Golden State finished off Houston in Game 6 and swept the Trail Blazers in the Western Finals, but the club has missed Durant on both ends of the floor against the Raptors. The Dubs are facing potential elimination tonight, down 3-1.
Durant wasn’t medically cleared to practice until this weekend, following Golden State’s Game 4 loss, so his participation in any sort of practice, shootaround, or scrimmage has been extremely limited. It remains to be seen how effective he’ll be upon his return, but head coach Steve Kerr indicated earlier today that there the team didn’t have a specific minutes cap in mind for the two-time Finals MVP (Twitter link via Anthony Slater of The Athletic).
Even if his conditioning isn’t up to par, Durant could have a significant impact on the game and the rest of the series. The Warriors have struggled to space the floor in his absence and haven’t had enough answers for Toronto on the defensive end. Just having Durant on the court to take minutes from the likes of Alfonzo McKinnie, Jonas Jerebko, and/or Quinn Cook will change how the Raptors line up against the Warriors’ offense and attack their defense.
Still, Durant’s return offers no guarantees for the Warriors, especially if he’s limited by his calf issue. If Golden State loses tonight, it could be KD’s last game as a Warrior.
So nice of him to grace our TV screens with his presence. Hopefully it isn’t too big of an inconvenience.
Ah, the old “[insert athlete] doesn’t have heart and owes us things” line. Hopefully you can accept his full and personal apology to you.
He doesn’t owe me anything, but he certainly owes it to his teammates.
He doesn’t! They don’t pay his salary. His health & career come first.
Last year was all the same with Kawhi… you just have to trust players, they know their bodies waaay better than a bunch of physicians, if they say they can good, if they say they can’t good, is up to them dude.
This aged well……smh
Warriors are 8-9 in finals games without KD. They are going to miss him bad when he is gone. Fans can pretend they are still the best team without him all they want. Its not true.
Even with KD I don’t see the Warriors winning tonight. 110-105 Raptors win
Called this at the start of the series to my friend that KD would be back for Game 5… I see 3 wins in GSW future for another title. Time for extinction of the Raptors and that damn Jurassic Park nonscence.
Sound like a hopeful warriors fan to me. Toronto is 6-1 in their last 7 against Milwaukee and GS. While KD back will help 3 straight wins (2 on the road) isn’t likely at all in my opinion. Unless they get help from the NBA of course.
Brew crew, of course how could I not be the top 3 are back together. Milwaukee has nothing to do with this discussion. It’s already happened to Gsw vs the Cavs so It can and will happen remember where you heard it first!
Well the top 3 were back together…still confident? I wouldn’t be.
Of course, like I said before GSW in 7. Did you forget they still have the splash brother? GSW got this!
Hopefully, he doesn’t reinjure his calf or it doesn’t get worse to the point of needing surgery. Contract year. I’m 100% sure that’s the biggest thing in mind of Durant..his family..and his agent. Of course, none of them will say that out loud. But that’s certainly what they’re all thinking of..MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
Why would KD care about surgery? He’s getting a max wherever he goes hurt during the off-season or not.
If he has a serious enough injury that carries into the following season then I wouldn’t assume a team might commit to a max deal. Maybe a max 1 year salary and he tries again. Meaning that whatever the annual would be for a max deal maybe they offer that amount for 1 year with PO to extend if the player desires.
He could tear his calf muscle and there would still be handful of owners crawling over each other to offer a max contract. You think him needing another year to recover would stop the flow of money to him? This isn’t just an All-Star player.
-raptors fan
KD will make huge difference. Dubs need better shot selection…specifically no more chucking up 3s by green,iggy,or boogie!! Get your butt in the lane and rebound!
This is where heroes are made!!! I’m rooting for ya, KD!!!
oh the magical walking boot with mystical healing powers
you could’ve just not said that and then it would have been better than if you did say it
if u can’t play u can’t be considered a warrior
Shouldn’t have played :/ but he really showed heart playing tonight knowing he could reinjure himself right before free agency. My only concern is the Warriors have been using him as a high usage shield to protect their guys knowing that KD was likely to walk. Same with Cousins. Curry, Thompson, and Green avoided bad injuries while KD and Cousins both got hurt. I don’t think KD should have risked it to play tonight but you can’t stop people who are that competitive. Mad respect KD get well soon.