Durant returns to practice, upgraded to questionable for Game 3
Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant returned to practice Friday after sitting out Game 2 against the Portland Trail Blazers with a left calf strain.
His status is questionable for Game 3 on Saturday, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced.
Kerr said Durant would play if it were a Game 7-type scenario, but indicated the team would prefer its starting small forward gets completely healthy before he returns to action.
Steve Kerr on Kevin Durant: "If it was Game 7 of the Finals, he'd play." Talks about why Durant is so frustrated with calf right now. pic.twitter.com/pzerQQFV5y
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 21, 2017
"Look, if it was Game 7 of the Finals he would play because we're not talking about anything that could damage his career," Kerr explained. "What we're talking about is something that, if (it) potentially gets worse, could knock him out for a few weeks. Then it's not worth it."
The coach admitted the cautious approach is difficult for Durant, who's itching to contribute - especially after missing time toward the end of the regular season with a knee sprain.
"He's frustrated, as you can imagine," Kerr said. "Especially coming off six weeks of inactivity. He's dying to be out on the floor."
Durant sustained the calf injury during Game 1, but managed to finish the match. However, he didn't practice in the ensuing days and was deemed questionable before ultimately being ruled out of Game 2. By the time Game 3 is played Saturday, he'll have sat out for five days.
Despite missing their star import, the Warriors still walloped the reeling Trail Blazers 110-81 to jump out to a 2-0 lead.