Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins could return during 2019 NBA Finals

The Golden State Warriors released an injury update for Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins, and they expect both to be back during the NBA Finals.

First, the good news for Golden State Warriors’ fans.

According to a press release, the Warriors have stated that Kevin Durant (strained right calf) and DeMarcus Cousins (torn left quadriceps muscle) are progressing nicely and could return for the NBA Finals.

Now, here’s the bad news — they both won’t be back before the start of the Finals.

That really shouldn’t matter for Warriors fans, however. Fans should take solace in knowing that Durant and Cousins could be back to help the Warriors secure the first three-peat since the Los Angeles Lakers did it at the beginning of the 2000s.

While it’s great that both Durant and Cousins are making progress, the way the Warriors have played since both went down make one wonder if Golden State even has a need for them to return.

Sure, both would be added weapons that they could deploy against either the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors, who are throwing haymakers at each other in a dogfight of an Eastern Conference Finals. Durant would have an advantage over anyone guarding him, and Cousins is a tour de force inside the paint.

Then again, ever since Cousins went down, the Warriors have gotten a  major contribution from Kevin Looney, who has played huge minutes and has shored up the middle. As for Durant, with him out, the Warriors have gone back to their “space-and-pace” play, which not only has freed up Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry to dominate from the outside but has also revitalized Draymond Green as an offensive force.

So while having both Durant and Cousins back for the Finals will be a boost for the Warriors, the truth of the matter is that Golden State would still be dominant without them.