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Wednesday 12 June 2019

Durant returns from injury _ then hurts his Achilles

By TIM REYNOLDS minutes, making all three
AP Basketball Writer of his 3-point attempts. He
TORONTO (AP) — Golden started and played the first
State forward Kevin Durant six minutes, then had the
has an injured right Achil- lower leg wrapped with
les, a massive blow for the a heating pad to keep it
perennial All-Star and two- loose before he returned
time NBA Finals MVP who about three minutes later.
may be three weeks away “He gave us what he had,”
from free agency and Curry said. “He went out
could also be facing a long there and sacrificed his
rehabilitation process. body.”
Warriors general manager When the injury happened,
Bob Myers was teary when a number of NBA players
he gave the news after reacted on Twitter quickly
Game 5 of the NBA Finals — both to the injury, and to
on Monday night. An MRI the sound of some Toronto
will be performed Tuesday fans cheering when Durant
to determine the sever- got hurt.
ity, but Durant’s season is “Why are they cheering for
clearly over and his recov- his injury? Come on man,”
ery will likely take several Philadelphia center Joel
months if the Achilles is in- Embiid wrote.
deed torn. Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Added Washington’s Bob-
“He’s one of the most mis- Curry (30) during first-half basketball action in Game 5 of the NBA Finals in Toronto, Monday, June by Portis: “Raptors fans
understood people,” Myers 10, 2019. can’t cheer for a player
said. “He’s a good team- Associated Press getting hurt. That’s lame.”
mate, he’s a good person, tions department. And to “It sucks. I feel so bad for Durant had been cleared Many others just sent best
it’s not fair. I’m lucky to tell you something about him, his camp,” Warriors by the Warriors’ medical wishes, including Miami’s
know him. I don’t have all Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant guard Klay Thompson said. staff after Game 4, and Kelly Olynyk, Cleveland’s
the information on what re- loves to play basketball, “He’s going to come back participated in both a Kevin Love and Atlanta’s
ally the extent of what it all and the people that ques- stronger though. That’s the practice session Sunday Trae Young. And some
means until we get a MRI, tioned whether he wanted kind of fighter he is and I’m and a shootaround prac- Raptors players, including
but the people that worked to get back to this team going to miss him, man. It’s tice earlier Monday. The Kyle Lowry, urged those
with him and cleared him were wrong.” not the same being out Warriors had said through- fans who were cheering
are good people, they’re Durant got hurt on a dribble there without him.” out his monthlong absence the sight of Durant limping
good people.” on the right win`g , com- Durant shouted an exple- that they did not want him to stop.
Myers said Durant’s first in- ing up lame on a cross- tive as he left the floor, his back on the floor until he “I don’t think the fans knew
jury of this postseason was over move and falling to frustration obvious. He was was right, for fear of a sce- the significance of the in-
a calf injury, as the Warriors the floor. He grabbed the supposed to be one of the nario where Durant aggra- jury,” Lowry said.
have insisted throughout. back of his leg, appeared marquee free agents this vated the injury and had The Warriors entered the
Myers also said that he is to grab below the calf and summer. He may now end no chance of returning this night trailing the Rap-
willing to accept the blame more toward the Achilles up exercising his $31.5 mil- season. tors 3-1 in the title series
for the decision to play Du- area, and needed help to lion option to stay with the Their nightmare came true. — meaning their hopes of
rant in Game 5. limp to the bench area and Warriors, especially if he’s And if it really only was a a third consecutive NBA
Golden State won 106-105, more help to get back to going to be sidelined for an calf injury initially, this was championship remain on
cutting Toronto’s lead in the Warriors’ locker room. extended period. worse. the brink now. Durant had
the NBA Finals to 3-2. Warriors forward Andre “I’m hurting deep in the soul “It’s a bizarre feeling that not played since straining
“I don’t believe there’s Iguodala was on Durant’s right now,” Durant wrote on we all have right now,” a calf muscle in Game 5
anybody to blame, but I left side as they made Instagram after the game. Warriors coach Steve Kerr of the Western Conference
understand in this world the long walk back to the His season is over. said. “An incredible win semifinals against Hous-
and if you have to, you can room, with Myers and Ste- The Warriors’ season isn’t. and a horrible loss at the ton, and the team hoped
blame me,” Myers said. “I phen Curry in the group im- “We do it for Kevin,” Thomp- same time.” his presence would be a
run our basketball opera- mediately behind them. son said. Durant had 11 points in 12 boost.q