Durant still in doubt as Warriors head to Portland
Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a layup over Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. AFP
SAN FRANCISCO–Kevin Durant took part in the Golden State Warriors’ practice on Friday, but it remained unclear if he’d be back from a calf injury for Saturday’s NBA playoff game against the Trail Blazers in Portland.
The Warriors own a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference first-round series, and can afford to be cautious with Durant.
He suffered a left calf strain while scoring 32 points in the Warriors’ game-one win.
“Look, if it was game seven of the Finals, (Durant) could play,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on Friday.
“We’re not talking about something that could damage his career. What we’re talking about is something that if it potentially gets worse and knocks him out for a few weeks, it’s not worth it.”
Durant, who traveled with the team to Portland, did extra shooting after practice.
“I’m good laterally,” the 2014 NBA Most Valuable Player told the San Jose Mercury-News. “I think just stopping and going (is the problem), but it’s getting better.
“I played the whole fourth quarter on it and I just felt like getting off of it and waiting until the (next) game, I’d be fine. But they’ve had some experience with it. They didn’t want to risk it and I’d be out for a long time.
“I understand, trying to look at the bigger picture,” added Durant, acquired as a free agent after the Warriors’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in last year’s NBA Finals.
“I want to play, want to be out there every step of the way with the team. But I understand health is important.”
In Durant’s absence, Stephen Curry scored 19 points and Klay Thompson added 16 as the Warriors used dominant defense to win game two of the series 110-81.
