Kevin Durant played in three NBA Finals series as a member of the Warriors, but his most recent appearance is probably one he'd rather forget.
The All-Star forward missed Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Rockets and all four games of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers with a strained right calf. He made his return to the court in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Raptors and, unfortunately, we all know how that story ends.
MORE: Durant says "nobody" on Warriors pressured him to play in NBA Finals
Durant had 11 points in just 12 minutes before leaving the game with an Achilles injury. Fans at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena cheered and clapped after he suffered the injury. They were quieted by players from both teams and the PA announcer, quickly flipping to "KD" chants as he was helped off the court.
Kyle Lowry and the Warriors tell fans to stop cheering as Kevin Durant walks off with an injury. pic.twitter.com/UldE49bF22
— ESPN (@espn) June 11, 2019
In an interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Durant finally clapped back at those cheering fans, despite saying he never heard them.
"It will probably be the last time they will be in the Finals," Durant said.
Durant was ultimately diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles, an injury likely to sideline him for the entire 2019-20 season, and the Raptors went on to win their first NBA championship in franchise history. Durant left Golden State in free agency this summer, signing a four-year deal with the Nets.
.@35Ventures pic.twitter.com/LKR00FOnys
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) July 7, 2019
While his Brooklyn debut will have to wait, this may be the start of a new Eastern Conference rivalry.