Update 05/24/2019 2:13am:
When Kevin Durant went down with a strained right calf in Game 5 of the semifinal matchup against the Houston Rockets, many believed he'd miss a couple of games and would resume playing in no time. However, Durant wasn't cleared to play at any point in the WCF against the Trailblazers (although his team didn't need him as they completed the 4-game sweep) and now reports abound that KD could miss the start of the finals as well.
After going through evaluations on Thursday, Durant and DeMarcus Cousins both had positive status updates but neither was given the green light to step back on the floor. Cousins is "anticipated" to play during the series while the team is "hopeful" to get Durant ready.
The Warriors remain heavy favorites to win it all again this season, with or without KD in the lineup.
Update 05/17/2019 4:11am:
Kevin Durant has been ruled out of Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trailblazers. The 2x Finals MVP is hampered with a right calf strain suffered in Game 5 of the previous series.
Nevertheless, the Warriors haven't missed a beat winning the last three games that Durant has missed, and pretty handily aside from Thursday night's Game 2, one might add. The Blazers blew their opportunity to steal a game at Oracle and put pressure on the Warriors to have to play KD or risk being eliminated. But with a 2-0 lead in the series, KD can comfortably rehab until Game 5 when the series will either be tied or the Warriors will have a commanding lead.
Original 05/16/2019 7:37am:
The Golden State Warriors resembled the pre-KD squad as they went out in Game 1 against the Portland Trailblazers and beat them handily, 116-94. Kevin Durant sat out nursing his injured calf muscle which he suffered during the series against the Houston Rockets. According to Yahoo Sports Chris Haynes, Durant will also sit out Game 2 which speaks to the confidence the team has in Steph and Klay to carry the load offensively.
But as the Golden State Warriors march toward another title with Kevin Durant injured the team has still managed to go 2-0 since he was sidelined. It has raised questions about Durant's true value and whether or not Golden State is a better, more dangerous team without him. Whether he is or not is beside the point. The narrative that Golden State doesn't need him is the reason many NBA insiders believe he's heading to the Knicks next season to prove he can lead his own team to a title.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
