NBA Finals: Warriors star Kevin Durant expected to return for Game 5
It looks like Kevin Durant will soon return to the court.
Durant, the star forward for the Golden State Warriors, was deemed a “game-time decision” for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday by head coach Steve Kerr. With the Warriors’ season on the brink, Durant participated in practice Sunday and went through a full shootaround Monday, Kerr told reporters.
Later Monday, multiple outlets, including Yahoo Sports, reported that Durant is indeed expected return to the lineup.
As @MontePooleNBCS first reported, Golden State forward Kevin Durant will make his return tonight in Game 5 against Toronto, sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 10, 2019
Kerr said the team would take a sensible approach with Durant, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, but that there would “no firm minutes restriction.”
Steve Kerr said, if Kevin Durant does go, there’s no firm minutes restriction, just a feel thing on how he reacts conditioning wise.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 10, 2019
Durant, however, might be limited to short spurts initially.
Kerr says he doesn’t want to put too much of a burden on Durant. KD will start, play in short spurts and Kerr will evaluate how he looks physically.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 10, 2019
The Warriors currently trail the Toronto Raptors 3-1 in the series, and the Raptors can clinch their first NBA title on Monday night — and do so on their home floor.
Durant, an impending free agent, has not played since May 8 when he injured his calf in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets.
More than a month later, the Warriors are desperate for his return to the lineup having lost consecutive games at Oracle Arena after splitting the first two games of the series in Toronto.
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