Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors were able to win Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors by a final score of 106-105. Unfortunately, Durant likely will not be participating for the rest of the series. He left Game 5 in the second quarter after suffering a lower right leg injury.
According to a report from former NFL doctor David J. Chao, Durant likely will be diagnosed with a torn Achilles.
Pay attention to how #KevinDurant right calf contracts violently. Beleive it or not, the strength of the gasteocnemius muscle contracting so quickly/forcefully is what tears the Achilles tendon. pic.twitter.com/odCSgdNiGF
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) June 11, 2019
An Achilles tear was the worst case scenario for Durant after coming back from a calf injury that kept him out nearly a month. The injury could cost him around six months, which would mean the 2019-20 NBA season will already be underway when he can make his return to the court.
Add in the fact that Durant is set to hit free agency this offseason and the market will change drastically for him.
Durant came into Game 5 fully cleared by the Warriors' training staff. He didn't even have a minutes restriction. One has to wonder if the team pushed him to come back a little too early, but speculation on that is a bit early and will certainly be explored in the coming days.
Golden State will now have to focus on Game 6 at Oracle Arena on Thursday night without their superstar. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson will have their work cut out for them.
Hopefully, this diagnosis is premature and inaccurate, but with the way things looked, it could be an extremely tough break for Durant and the Warriors.
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