The Golden State Warriors provided an update on forward Kevin Durant and center DeMarcus Cousins, citing neither will be available to start the NBA Finals.
Kevin Durant & DeMarcus Cousins injury update: pic.twitter.com/nMyQG0yKDl
— Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 23, 2019
Durant has been dealing with a mild calf strain for two weeks now, since first injuring it with 3:10 left in the third quarter of Game 5 against the Houston Rockets during the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Warriors have been rather mum on his potential to return and are expected to play it by ear, according to how the series shakes out.
Cousins has a slightly more promising diagnosis, as he is expected to play at some point this series, though the Warriors have yet to put a date on his return.
There's still a week before the Warriors take the court, so it's still possible that he could be cleared to join the team, if his practice time reveals he's close to 100% ready.
Golden State has a massive rest advantage over whichever team comes out of the East, having nine full days of rest between their Game 4 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers and the start of the NBA Finals, as Game 1 will tip-off on Thursday, May 30.
The Warriors will need as much firepower as possible to battle against the Toronto Raptors or the Milwaukee Bucks, as either team will have the homecourt advantage coming into this upcoming series.
Cousins played only one full game before sustaining his injury, while Durant led all playoff scorers with an average of 34.2 points per game before being forced to sit out with his injury. In his absence, the Warriors have gone 5-0, along with the last 15 minutes of regulation in Game 5 against the Rockets to close out the win.
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