SAN FRANCISCO, May 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Golden State Warriors star Kevin
Durant will miss the remainder of the series against the Houston Rockets
after an MRI scan revealed a strained right calf, the reigning league
champions said Thursday.
Coach Steve Kerr made the announcement and said others are going to have to
pick up the slack.
“He’s been the best player in the NBA in the playoffs. He’s been
phenomenal,” Kerr said. “Guys who haven’t had opportunities yet (in this
series) will have opportunities.”
Durant, averaging a league-best 34.2 points in the playoffs, was removed in
the third quarter of Golden State’s 104-99 home victory Wednesday over
Houston, which gave the Warriors a 3-2 edge in their best-of-seven NBA
Western Conference second-round series.
There were fears Durant might have suffered a more extensive injury, but
the team said in a statement the MRI confirmed the initial diagnosis of a
right calf strain.
Durant will not travel with the Warriors to Houston for game six, instead
remaining in the San Francisco Bay region for treatment ahead of being re-
evaluated next week.
“I think it’s good news,” Kerr said. “Calf strain, he’s had them before.
He’s responded well. Obviously, we’re disappointed he won’t be able to play
in this series. If we’re able to win the series and move on, looks good for
his return in the not too distant future.”
Durant is an NBA finals Most Valuable Player the past two seasons after
leading the Warriors to back-to-back crowns.
He has also averaged 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocked
shots a game for the Warriors in the playoffs this season.
With Durant sidelined, the Warriors are likely to rely upon Andre Iguodala
off the bench as well as other reserves to try and contain the Rockets.