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Durant admits injury wasn't as bad as initially feared

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Basketball fans collectively gasped when Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant limped off the floor in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets.

Durant said he was initially concerned about the severity of the injury, as he recalled how players who hurt their Achilles described it. But he was quickly relieved when he realized he could put weight on his leg.

"I saw the clip and, I mean, (TNT commentator) Reggie Miller was screaming, 'That's his Achilles! That's his Achilles!' Obviously, everybody is going to be a little nervous," Durant told reporters Friday.

"I knew how I felt once I came down from the shot. I pushed off to run back down the court and I felt like somebody tripped me up. I looked back and the first thing that came to my mind was Boogie (Cousins) said, Kobe (Bryant) said, Dominique Wilkins said it felt like somebody kicked them.

"That's the first thing that came to my mind so I said let me slow down to process what's going on. Then I started walking and I realized that I can put some weight on it and it's not as bad as I thought."

Durant was diagnosed with a calf strain and hasn't played since, though the Warriors have yet to lose in his absence. They closed out the Rockets in Game 6 and then proceeded to sweep the Portland Trail Blazers to reach their fifth straight NBA Finals.

The two-time Finals MVP knows the hot streak will lead to questions about whether Golden State actually needs Durant.

"It's been that way since I got here. It's the Warriors and KD," Durant said. "I understand that and I feel like my teammates and the organization knows exactly what I've done here on and off the court to become a part of this culture.

"I've done pretty much everything they could ask from a player, from an ambassador to the organization and the community. ... I know what I bring to the team, but I also know a lot of people from the outside don't like to see us together. I get it."

Durant has not yet been cleared for on-court activities and is expected to miss the start of the finals on May 30, the Warriors announced.

The 30-year-old averaged 34.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 11 playoff games before the injury.

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