Kevin Durant’s return now is a real possibility.
The Golden State Warriors' star forward officially is a game-time decision for Monday night’s Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, Steve Kerr told reporters Monday morning from Toronto. Durant participated in shootaround Monday morning and the call on his status will be made before tip-off at 6:00 p.m. PT.
"He looked good, and we'll see where it goes," Kerr said. "You worry about the conditioning. The skill is obviously undeniable.
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"He's a guy who can get his shot off anytime he wants. He's been in similar situations with us where he's had long layoffs. He's Kevin Durant. If we have him out there, he'll be a threat. We know that."
Durant practiced with the Warriors on Sunday for the first time since straining his right calf against the Rockets on May 8 in the Western Conference second-round playoff series. The Warriors have gone 6-3 in Durant's absence but find themselves in a three-games-to-one hole to Toronto in the Finals.
Prior to his injury, Durant was averaging 34.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists in the playoffs this year. The two-time NBA Finals MVP was shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from 3-point range.
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“He will be very welcomed," Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson said Sunday to reporters. "He’s propelled us to two championships. It would be pretty storybook if he could do the same.”
Indeed he will, and possibly just one day away.
