Warriors' Kevin Durant: Optimistic about return in regular season

The Warriors are optimistic that Durant (knee) will be able to return to the court before the end of the regular season, ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Chris B. Haynes report.

Analysis:

The team won't have an official update on a possible return date for Durant until he's reevaluated later next week, but the forward has made encouraging progress since being diagnosed with a sprained MCL and tibial bone bruise in his left knee back on Feb. 28. On Tuesday, the All-Star forward was able to turn in his first on-court workout since suffering the injury, which included some shooting and light sprinting. While it appears fantasy owners who have been stashing Durant shouldn't be ready to activate him just yet, it may be worth holding onto him in leagues with deeper benches in the event he's able to get in a handful of games before the playoffs begin.