Durant aims to go ‘full throttle’ against Pelicans
Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant. AP file photo
Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant says he’ll aim to put thoughts of the knee injury that sidelined him 19 games aside when he returns to action against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
“I’m just going to go out there and be me,” Durant told reporters after Warriors practice on Friday. “I can’t think about how I’ll feel because I’ll end up holding back.
Article continues after this advertisement“I just want to go out there full throttle and see what happens,” he added.
Durant took part in all of Friday’s training session, a day after the team issued a statement saying the small forward, who suffered a knee sprain and bone bruise in a game against the Washington Wizards on February 28, was fit to face the Pelicans.
The 28-year-old, who joined the Warriors from the Oklahoma City Thunder last year, suffered his injury after a collision with team-mate Zaza Pachulia in February.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Warriors initially struggled in Durant’s absence, suffering four defeats in six games.
However the 2015 NBA Finals champions have since gone on an impressive run, with 13 straight victories, to seal their place as Western Conference top seeds for a third straight year.
Durant said he’s eager to get back in the flow with his teammates.
“I play basketball for a living,” Durant said. “That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life. If somebody takes your job away, something happens and you can’t be able to do what you want to do every single day, sometimes your patience runs thin a little bit.
“Obviously I wanted to be out there playing. That’s my favorite thing to do, to play basketball. So to be away, it was different. It was tough, but I looked at the big picture, man, and I figured at some point I’ll get better. So, that day is here and I’m thankful.”
While Durant returns, the Warriors could be without another star on Saturday. Guard Stephen Curry is doubtful for the game with a knee contusion. He was hurt in Wednesday’s game against the Phoenix Suns and didn’t practice on Friday.
