NBA Playoffs 2019: Kevin Durant has mild calf strain, to be re-evaluated next week

Scott Rafferty

NBA Playoffs 2019: Kevin Durant has mild calf strain, to be re-evaluated next week image

Kevin Durant has suffered a mild strain on his right calf, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 10-time All-Star will be reportedly re-evaluated next week, meaning he isn't expected to play against the Houston Rockets in Game 6 and possibly Game 7.


Durant suffered the injury with a couple of minutes remaining in the third quarter of Game 5. He was immediately diagnosed with a calf strain and was ruled out for the remainder of the game.

The Golden State Warriors held on to without him to take a 3-2 lead in the series in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Durant was averaging 27.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 blocks per game prior to his injury. According to ESPN Stats & Info, the Warriors have been outscored by 14 points with Durant on the bench in these playoffs.

The Warriors went 3-1 during the regular season in games that Durant missed including a win at Houston in March. DeMarcus Cousins scored 20 of his 27 points in the second half of that win in Houston and played in all four of Golden State's games without Durant. Cousins was injured in the 1st Round of the playoffs and has not played since.

 

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.