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5 reasons Golden State Warriors can survive Kevin Durant’s injury

By John Buhler

Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 11, 2017; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 129-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 25, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Spurs defeated the Warriors 129-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Likely path to Western Conference Finals should be a breeze

This is a little bit contrarian, but isn’t the path to the Conference Finals still fairly certain for the Warriors? Most expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference due to having LeBron James, but the Cavaliers have the tougher road to the NBA Finals than the Warriors should they both maintain the No. 1 seeds.

Cleveland’s path to the NBA Finals would likely include a Central Division rival in the first-round and two of these four teams in the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards. The Cavaliers should win in all three series, but expect them to drop a few games along the way.

Now let’s look at the path Golden State will have to go down. Assuming the Warriors hold on to the No. 1 seed, they’d get a sub-.500 team in round one and could still sweep them effortlessly. The Conference Semifinals would be against either the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, or Utah Jazz. Golden State straight up owns the Clippers. Memphis and Utah won’t be able to keep pace offensively with Golden State, as these are two defensive-minded clubs.

Likely meeting Golden State in the Western Conference Finals would be either the Spurs or the Houston Rockets. Those aren’t easy matchups, but Golden State might not have to fully flex its juggernaut basketball muscles until the Western Conference Finals. Golden State is a top-four team in the NBA even without Durant.

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