Kevin Durant Officially Ruled Out for Game 1 of Finals and May Not Travel to Toronto
By Adam Weinrib
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed the already-evident on Monday during his pre-Finals presser. No, Kevin Durant, hobbled with an injury that seems more serious than was first let on, will not play in the team's Finals opener against the Toronto Raptors.
Unfortunately, he may not accompany the team on the voyage, either, essentially ruling KD out for the first two contests.
Steve Kerr says Kevin Durant is officially “out” for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Warriors haven’t decided whether he’ll even make the trip to Toronto. DeMarcus Cousins’ status is “questionable.”
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 27, 2019
DeMarcus Cousins, somewhat inexplicably, isn't entirely ruled out yet.
Durant's free agency is certainly weighing on Golden State as they continue to monitor his minutes, as is the team's spectacular performance without him on the court.
Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green have reminded the world that they can carry a burden of this magnitude, and out of fairness to the other NBA teams this summer, it would behoove Golden State not to rush Durant back before he's ready.
Kevin Durant is officially out for Game 1 of the Finals. pic.twitter.com/I9gBBmIyz5
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) May 27, 2019
Don't expect him in this Finals at all, unless the Dubs are in disaster mode, and must break glass in case of emergency.