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According to Anthony Slater of the Athletic, Kevin Durant will be unavailable against the Denver Nuggets. This absence is the third in the row for the 2017 Finals MVP, and is because of an apparent calf injury that is bothering the small forward.
Warriors rule out Kevin Durant with a calf injury for a third straight game. Won't play tonight. Was getting shots up a couple hours ago in front of trainer.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 8, 2018
Durant is currently having a career year for the Warriors, averaging 25.9 points, a career-high 5.3 assists, and 7.1 rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from the field and 39 percent from the 3-point line. However, Durant's career year is because of his effect on the defensive end. Durant is averaging a league-best 2.27 blocks per game, showing a developed two-way side to his game this season.
In the two games that the Durant has been unavailable, the Dubs have won both games in a comfortable fashion. That has been due in large part to the spectacular play of Stephen Curry who has been phenomenal for the Warriors lately, averaging 36 points per game on 56 percent shooting since his return from an ankle injury. Curry recently scored a season-high 45 points against the L.A. Clippers on Saturday night.
Durant's injury doesn't seem to be serious, but Curry's astronomical play has given head coach Steve Kerr the cushion to rest one of his star players for an extended period of time. In fact, last year the Warriors went on to secure the first seed even with a colossal injury to Durant. Therefore, the Warriors have shown some resilience of winning games without their star small forward, relying on their enormous depth to step up and get the job done.
With Durant out against the Nuggets on Monday night, it will be up to the Splash Brothers, Curry and Thompson, to deliver a win for the Bay Area.
