The Golden State Warriors will be without star forward Kevin Durant tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers due to a left calf strain, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.
It was previously reported that the Warriors would maintain a preventative approach with his injury and err in the side of caution — thus electing to hold him out for Game 2.
“It's not worth it,” head coach Steve Kerr said after announcing the absence of his All-Star scorer, according to Anthony Slater of the San Jose Mercury News.
Durant will have a full five-day period to recover from his calf strain if he indeed rejoins the team by Game 3 on Saturday.
Kerr expressed some concern with his injury due to the fact that he hadn't practiced with the team throughout the week.
Point guard Shaun Livingston (hand contusion) and Matt Barnes (sprained foot) are also out for the game.
“We're thin,” Kerr told reporters.
Durant's absence will mean increased minutes for sixth man Andre Iguodala as well as some rotational changes to the smaller lineup. Rookie Patrick McCaw is likely to get the starting nod in his place, as Kerr can potentially go with a “speed five” like James Michael McAdoo through stretches.
The Blazers are also dealing with the absence of their bruising center Jusuf Nurkic, who has been out of the lineup since March 24 due to a non-displaced fracture in his right fibula.
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