Kevin Durant won't be suiting up for Game 6 in Houston, or Game 7 at Oracle Arena if it gets to that point, but there's hope that he could play in the Western Conference Finals if the Warriors advance.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Durant suffered a mild strain on his right calf and expected to be re-evaluated next week. This is just about the best news Warriors (and Knicks, Nets etc.) fans could have hoped for after the two-time NBA Finals MVP exited Wednesday's game in the third quarter of Golden State's 104-99 victory.
The Warriors were already prepared to be without their leading scorer for Friday's Game 6 at the Toyota Center in Houston, regardless of the outcome of his MRI. Now they know for sure they'll have to get past James Harden and the Rockets without him.
According to The Athletic's Tim Kawakami, head coach Steve Kerr revealed the following, immediately after Game 5:
“He’s not going to play Game 6,” Kerr told me late Wednesday. “We can all pretend and just say he’s doubtful. But he’s not playing Game 6.”
“Hopefully,” Kerr said, “we get Kevin back at some point.”
Durant leads all players in points per game this post-season, averaging 34.2 a night to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Game 6 between the Warriors and Rockets is slated to tipoff at 9:00pm ET on Friday, airing on ESPN.
If the Rockets survive on Friday, Game 7 at Oracle Arena is scheduled to take place on Sunday.