NBA Playoffs: Kevin Durant ruled out for Game 2 vs. Trail Blazers

Kevin Durant will sit out for Game 2 vs the Trail Blazers.

Kevin Durant’s strained calf is now causing him to sit out of Game 2 vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. Whether his calf will cause him to miss more time remains to be seen.

According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Golden State Warriors just recently announced that the superstar forward will be a no-go when the Warriors and Blazers hook back up for Game 2 of their first-round series in Oakland. Durant was previously listed as questionable and didn’t participate in the team shootaround earlier in the day.

Durant was a force that the Blazers simply couldn’t handle in Game 1, going for 32 points on just 20 shots and grabbing 11 rebounds to boot. But in the second half, he strained his left calf, and although he finished the game, it was up in the air if he would play in Game 2.

Part of Durant sitting out for Game 2 is a strategic one for the Warriors. With Durant being out for tonight’s matchup, he will have five full days to heal his strained left calf before the series shifts to Portland on Saturday.

Durant has been battling injuries during the second half of the season. He missed 19 games with a strained MCL and bone bruise on his left leg, and now, you can add strained calf to the list of ailments that Durant is battling through.

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Durant isn’t the only Warrior who is fighting the injury bug as reserve guard Shaun Livingston (finger) and forward Matt Barnes (ankle sprain) are also listed as questionable for tonight’s game.

But Durant’s injury may be the biggest, although it wouldn’t be a huge issue against the Blazers, who they should do away with easy. But if his calf continues to be a problem for Round 2, then Warrior fans should be praying to the basketball Gods for mercy.