Kevin Durant has been ruled out for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night, and it sounds like he will be missing more than just one game in the series.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters on Wednesday that Durant has not even resumed practicing, but he said the team is hopeful he can “ramp that up” over the next couple days. While he didn’t really speculate on Durant’s status for Game 2, he later admitted in an interview with KNBR 680 that it is “pretty doubtful” that the two-time NBA Finals MVP will be cleared by Sunday.
“He was on the court today taking some shots — just basically on his own, nothing with the team,” Kerr said, as transcribed by Drew Shiller of NBC Sports. “And he’s been ramping up his rehab. He’s coming along really well, but he’s sort of in a race against the clock.
“We’ve already announced he won’t play tomorrow and considering Game 2 is Sunday and he hasn’t practiced with the team, you know — it’s pretty doubtful that he’ll play Game 2.”
The Warriors have not lost a game since Durant left with a calf injury in Game 5 of the Western Conference seminfinals. Durant may be looking to prove a point about Golden State needing him, but there’s no need for them to rush him back given the way they have played without him.
