Tag: Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant cleared to practice, could return for Game 5

Brandon King

With the Golden State Warriors staring at their season’s mortality down 3-1 in the NBA Finals, its expected that all stops would be pulled out to keep their season alive. Changes to lineups, minutes , or players returning ( perhaps early) from injury could happen just to get to the next game. This news definitely leans toward the latter. Kevin Durant has been cleared to return to practice on Sunday. Head coach Steve Kerr told media members today that Durant would be practicing with the team. He’s going to practice…

Read More

Kevin Durant: Still not ready

Brandon King

On the SportsCenter after Game 4 of the NBA Finals ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said that Kevin Durant’s “body isn’t ready” and there’s “frustration all around” that Durant is still unable to play. He attempted to engage in a workout Thursday but according to Jalen Rose, speaking on NBA Countdown, “it didn’t go well on any level.” With their quest for a three-peat on life support, after losing Game 4 105-92, having Durant in the lineup is more needed than ever. However even by some miracle KD is able to get…

Read More

Kevin Durant won’t play in Game 4

Brandon King

The speculation on if or when Kevin Durant will return to the Warriors’ lineup will be pushed back at least another game. That is because the back-to-back Finals MVP will not be in action for a must win Game 4. Durant was unable to participate in a scrimmage to prepare for a possible Game 4 return, as such head coach Steve Kerr was forced to rule him out for Friday night’s game. The return of Klay Thompson in Game 4 will greatly help, however the Warriors could more than use…

Read More

Kevin Durant ruled out for Game 3, Klay Thompson questionable

Brandon King

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced that Kevin Durant would not play in Game 3 of the NBA Finals as he is still dealing with the strained calf suffered in the Conference semifinals. Kerr did add that Durant would be on the practice facility floor later Tuesday for an individual workout. Kerr has previously mentioned that it would be possible for Durant to return with only one practice under his belt, terming it “feasible.” Per Nick Friedell of ESPN: Ultimately the timetable for KD’s return will be determined…

Read More

Warriors get vital ( and costly) 109-104 win in Game 2 of NBA Finals

Brandon King

There is an old adage of playoff basketball, that a series does not really start until a road team wins a game.  If that holds any water, then the NBA Finals have truly begun.  The Golden State Warriors used a 20-0 run in the third quarter to take a lead they ultimately would not relinquish, as they would go on to win 109-104 an tie the NBA Finals at 1 game apiece. The Warriors got the win but it was not without cost. Center Kevon Looney left the game with…

Read More

Steve Kerr says it is “Feasible” KD could return after 1 practice

Brandon King

Sunday Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that is it possible that Kevin Durant could return after participating in just one practice. Durant has been out since suffering a calf strain in the second half of Game 5 of the conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets.  It’s feasible. But again, it’s really a day-to-day thing,” Kerr said ahead of the Warriors’ Game 2 matchup against the Toronto Raptors. “If we had a crystal ball we would have known a long time ago what we were dealing with. It’s…

Read More

KD out for Game 2 of Finals, could return halfway through NBA Finals

Brandon King

According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said today that Kevin Durant will not play in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. This will be the 7th game in a row Durant has missed due to a calf strain that apparently was more sever than initially thought. While it was pretty clear the Warriors could handle the Rockers and the Trail Blazers sans KD, it seems that may not be the case against the Raptors in the NBA Finals. Golden State was defeated 118-109…

Read More

Durant likely out for Game 2

Brandon King

Kevin Durant has not played since injury his lower leg in game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Houston Rockets. He pulled up after running down county after hitting a jumper. The initial look was that is was more severe, along the lines of an Achilles injury, but a collective sigh of relief was breathed when it was revealed that it was merely a strain of his right calf. Durant was ruled out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but he would travel with the club, giving…

Read More

Kevin Durant out for Game 1 of NBA Finals, Cousins questionable

Brandon King

When Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off in Toronto, Kevin Durant will not be part of the proceedings. According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr decisively ended any speculation, stating: “KD’s not playing Game 1.” ESPN’s Rachel Nichols adds that the team has not even decided if he will travel to Toronto. Additionally Nichols reports that center DeMarcus Cousins’ status is now questionable. According to the New York Times’ Marc J. Spears, Cousins participated in non-starters scrimmage at Warriors practice but did not look…

Read More

The misconception around Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors and why the mission is already completed

Brandon King

The latest round of hot take nation features nearly every sports outlet from Maine to California is discussing how the Golden State Warriors do not need Kevin Durant. It is understandable why they would “leap” to such a conclusion, the Warriors have an all-time record of 31-1 in games without KD that Stephen Curry has played and how the team resembles their 2016 incarnation ( which by the way, may have won 73 games but lost the NBA Finals) in terms of their play style, which many have deemed more…

Read More