Kevin Durant ruled out for Game 4 of NBA Finals
The Golden State Warriors will still be short-handed in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, as Kevin Durant has been ruled out.
With Kevin Durant (calf) still out and Klay Thompson (hamstring) ruled out prior to tip-off, the Golden State Warriors lost Game 3 of the NBA Finals with Stephen Curry (47 points) and little else. There was increasing optimism Durant would be able to play Game 4, as there were indications he would participate in 3-on-3 and/or 5-on-5 scrimmages during practice on Thursday.
But Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said he misspoke about that and Durant will not play in Game 4 against the Toronto Raptors Friday night.
“He’s not yet ready to play,” Kerr said Thursday.
However, Thompson is expected to return from the strained hamstring that ultimately kept him out of Game 3.
Durant has not played since being injured in Game 5 against the Houston Rockets on May 8. He apparently hasn’t had a setback, but is also apparently not making sufficient progress to play in what is shaping up to be a pivotal game for the Warriors as they try to avoid a 3-1 deficit going back to Toronto for Game 5.
There’s an argument Thompson is a more important piece for the Warriors then Durant, due to what he brings on the defensive end to go with his shooting prowess. Particularly against the Raptors, where Thompson can matchup against Kawhi Leonard and allow others to take reduced individual defensive responsibility as a domino effect.
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If the Warriors to happen to lose Game 4 at home Friday night, and thus face elimination in Game 5 next Monday night, talk that Durant has already played his final game for the team will ramp up. But on the other hand, with a level of urgency, it’s possible Durant makes enough progress over the next few days to play in Game 5 and beyond.