Golden State Warriors All Star Kevin Durant won't be playing in tonight's close-out game in Houston and he won't be available for Game 7 at Oracle Arena if things get that far. Durant, who suffered a sprained right calf in Game 5, will be reevaluated next week and the best case scenario is that he'll be ready to play at some point in the Western Conference Finals.
With uncertainty surrounding his timetable for return, as well as his impending free agency this summer, it's reasonable to wonder whether or not the two-time Finals MVP has played his last game with the Warriors. We've all heard the rumors that Durant is planning on signing with the New York Knicks this summer, but new reports suggest he could have a change of heart.
According to a report by The Athletic's Sam Amick, there is a "recent sense" among those close to those close to the situation that Durant might "think twice" about fleeing Golden State because of the "recent stretch of domination and fan appreciation."
If "fan appreciation" is what may truly sway KD's decision, Knicks fans are already prepared to build a statue outside of MSG if it means #35 will be rocking the orange and blue next season and beyond. Fact is, nobody really knows what Durant is going to do besides Durant - and he recently said he doesn't even know what's next, despite what his friends, teammates and others are saying.
We'll find out soon enough, but in the meantime the Warriors' task at hand is eliminating the Rockets from the playoffs. Game 6, airing on ESPN, is set to tipoff at 9pm ET tonight. If necessary, Game 7 will take place at Oracle Arena at 3:30pm ET this Sunday.