Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney showed his mettle in last season's NBA Finals when he carried on for his side despite a costal cartilage fracture in his rib cage.
Looney looked back on what was a very memorable series for him, as he recounted how things transpired after he sustained the injury in Game 2 of the NBA Finals:
“So after the game, we were actually pretty optimistic,” Looney said, via Anthony Slater of The Athletic. “We thought it was a sprain and I’d be all right. I still had pretty good strength in it. I mean, I finished the first half, so I figured it can’t be that bad.
“But the next day, they got the results, they’re like, ‘Yeah, it’s bad. You probably shouldn’t play. You’re out.' Talked to a few more doctors, got a couple opinions.”
Looney was forced to miss Game 3, but with the Dubs hurting, the 23-year-old had to battle through his injury to make an earlier than anticipated return to the court. In fact, Looney had to wear a flak jacket during the game in order to protect his injured ribs.
Looney then described the most painful play he had during the six-game war against the Raptors:
“I remember I was fitting to get an offensive rebound and Kyle Lowry, doing what he’s supposed to do, trying to run up and box me out before I got there.
“I was in the air and I fell. I’m trying to avoid my arm, but I don’t know which way to fall. That one huuuuuurt. I think that’s when Andre told me to sit down.”
This narrative only proves how Looney is a true Warrior. He will be entering his fifth season in the NBA this coming campaign, and with all the changes in Golden State's lineup this summer, a bigger role might just be in store this season for the 6-foot-9 big man.
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