Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher reports that Kevin Durant will not be fit in time for the NBA Finals. Durant’s injury will force him to stay out of action between four and six weeks, he reports.
Will Warriors be able to win even after Kevin Durant’s absence
The NBA Finals begin this Thursday night, so that means Durant is for certain ruled out of Game 1. The first game also marks the three weeks since the initial injury, a calf strain against the Houston Rockets in Game 5.
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Despite fears of how they will perform without their star, the Warriors have won every game with Durant absent. Steph Curry’s exceptional performances have undoubtedly helped their cause.
Durant will, however, make the trip to Toronto for the first two games of the Finals, leading to speculation if he could somehow be fit for the 2nd game.
However, Bucher feels otherwise. He does not think that Durant will be fit to play any part in the two games. Citing the Warriors’ statement that the injury was more severe than expected initially, Bucher feels that the extent of Durant’s injury will be closer to six weeks, not three. And of course, three of those six weeks is already over. But the Series ends in two more weeks, thus making Durant’s chances of a comeback extremely slim.
As for DeMarcus Cousins, he has been upgraded to questionable for Game 1. Thus, there are some chances that he may make an appearance in this Series. He is certainly much more likely to feature than Kevin Durrant.
However, Bucher thinks that the Warriors will have to make do without both of them. Perhaps this will lead to the Warriors changing their strategy, with them opting to play small-ball throughout the Finals. If anything, that will make for an exciting watch!
