Kerr says Durant could play in NBA Finals on one practice

TORONTO, Canada – Two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant could practice only once for Golden State and be ready for the 2019 NBA Finals, according to Warriors coach Steve Kerr.

Durant missed a shootaround on Sunday, June 2 (Monday, June 3, Philippine time) to undergo more rehabilitation treatment on a right calf injury that has sidelined him since May 8.

The Warriors’ 109-104 Game 2 win over the Toronto Raptors in the best-of-seven series marked the seventh consecutive playoff game Durant has missed after sparking Golden State to the past two NBA crowns.

Since the Warriors won’t practice Monday as they travel back to California – where they host Games 3 and 4 on Wednesday and Friday in Oakland – Durant would only have one practice opportunity on Tuesday before Game 3. 

Kerr had said Durant would need to practice with the Warriors before his return and elaborated Sunday that a lone practice before his comeback was possible.

“It’s feasible, but again, it’s really a day-to-day thing,” Kerr said. “It’s just an injury. There has been a lot of gray area. So literally it’s just day-to-day and how the progress is coming. At this point, he’s still not ready.”

Durant is the Warriors’ top scorer in the playoffs with 34.2 points a game.

Anunoby in for Raptors 

There was an injury return, but it was Toronto forward O.G. Anunoby who was activated by the Raptors ahead of Sunday’s game.

Anunoby was sidelined in April after an emergency appendectomy and isn’t expected to see much playing time soon.

“I don’t know if that changes things much,” Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. “It has been a long time since he has played.”

“He has been pretty active here in the last 4, 5 days, though, as far as getting up and down the floor and things. He has lost quite a bit of weight as well.” – Rappler.com