Kevin Durant injury update: When will Warriors star return (if at all)?

As the Golden State Warriors continue to rumble through the playoffs, it is still unknown if Kevin Durant will ever return.

Even though the Warriors hold a 2-0 series lead over the Portland Trail Blazers, all eyes are still on Kevin Durant as he recovers from a strained calf.

Durant has been out since injuring the calf late in the Warriors’ Game 5 win vs. the Houston Rockets and his return doesn’t appear imminent.

After Thursday’s close win over the Trail Blazers, coach Steve Kerr noted the injury was “more serious than thought“.  Durant will miss the next two games, at least. However, Warriors’ fans should not expect him to return for Game 5 (if needed) as he could be out until the Warriors are facing elimination, which may not happen.

Without Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson have thrived in his absence. How quickly fans forget this is mostly the same team that won 73 games in a season and won NBA Championships. It’s not like they’re venturing into uncharted territory. They are fully comfortable and capable of winning without Durant.

There is no timetable on Durant’s return from the calf injury. However, because they have not announced it as a season-ending injury, it seems possible Durant could return for the NBA Finals. If the Warriors do advance, it will give him 13 more days to get his calf right.

With the possibility of facing either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors, they will probably need Durant if they want to walk away with their third straight title. For now, the Warriors are able to manage the situation without their best player, but with the competition only going to get tougher as they move on, Durant’s return will be needed.