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A18 SPORTS
Friday 24 May 2019
Kevin Durant won't return in time for Game 1 of NBA Finals

By JANIE McCAULEY since getting injured April ets. He landed awkwardly
AP Sports Writer 16 in just his second career on his right foot following a
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — playoff game. baseline jumper.
Kevin Durant won't be "We'll see where my body Kerr wouldn't commit to a
ready to play in time for takes me and we'll see role for Cousins when he re-
Game 1 of the NBA Finals what happens," Cousins turns, unlike when the cen-
on May 30. said. "I feel good, a lot bet- ter returned from a nearly
The two-time reigning finals ter than I was, I'm in a bet- yearlong absence Jan. 18
MVP has yet to return to on- ter place. I'm able to get up following surgery for a torn
court work while recovering and down the court more. left Achilles tendon and
from a strained right calf. I'm able to play a little com- started immediately.
Big man DeMarcus Cousins petition basketball." It will depend on Cousins'
might be healthy for Gold- Andre Iguodala, who health, "how he's moving,"
en State's series opener missed the Game 4 clinch- Kerr said, how the series is
against either Milwaukee er against the Blazers with going and matchups.
or Toronto. a sore left calf, didn't prac- For Cousins, just getting
"Potentially," coach Steve tice Thursday but is expect- back on the court before
Kerr said Thursday, "but it's ed to be at full strength to the offseason and free
up in the air." start the finals. agency would be a huge
The team re-evaluated Golden State took two boost emotionally.
both players Thursday and In this Wednesday, May 8, 2019, file photo, Golden State War- days off after completing a Raising a championship
they are expected to be riors' Kevin Durant, left, walks away from referee Ken Mauer sweep of the Trail Blazers on banner would also mean
ready at some point during during the first half of Game 5 of the team's second-round NBA Monday night in Portland. so much after such a dif-
basketball playoff series against the Houston Rockets in Oak-
Golden State's fifth straight land, Calif. The Warriors will again take ficult year of rehab. The
finals. Associated Press a day off Sunday and won't Achilles injury and recovery
Durant is making progress begin full game-planning was "one of my darkest mo-
in the training room and been able to say, 'he's go- gone through an individual until they have an oppo- ments," he said.
with moves he is able to ing to play on such and shooting workout." nent. "It's been a wild year for me
handle in the weight room, such date,' and there still Cousins is working back Durant was averaging 34.2 all season," Cousins said.
Kerr said. isn't, so we just keep go- from a torn left quadriceps points this postseason when "I'm happy to be in this mo-
"We've known all along, it's ing, keep moving forward," muscle sustained in Game he got injured during the ment. If I get the opportuni-
how he responds. There's Kerr said. "... But again, he 2 of the first round against third quarter of Game 5 in ty to play I'm going to take
never been a point during hasn't spent any time on the Clippers. He practiced the conference semifinals full advantage of it, leave it
this process where we've the court with us, hasn't Thursday for the first time against the Houston Rock- all on the floor."q

Lillard, Kemba, LeBron among

noteworthy All-NBA picks

George and Nikola Jokic, lection, can get more than league history.
who was Denver's first All- $190 million over four years The second-longest active
NBA selection since Car- with a new contract in Port- streak now belongs to Cur-
melo Anthony in 2010. land. ry, who's been on each of
Antetokounmpo and Hard- Golden State's Klay Thomp- the past six All-NBA teams.
en were unanimous selec- son, Washington's Bradley That means he wouldn't be
tions, receiving all 100 votes Beal and Minnesota's Karl- able to catch Bryant and
from a panel of sports writ- Anthony Towns were also James' longevity mark until
ers and broadcasters who in position to cash in with 2028.
had to choose two guards, those lucrative extensions, Philadelphia center Joel
two forwards for each of but none was an All-NBA Embiid led the second
the three teams. selection. team that along with Lil-
Walker was the final selec- James has been a lock for lard included Kevin Durant,
tion but all that matters most of his career, but was Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie
is that he made it. By do- no sure thing after an injury- Irving. James and Walker
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives ing so, he became eligi- shortened first season in Los headlined a third team
to the basket as Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) de-
fends during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball play- ble to receive a five-year Angeles. His streak of 11 that featured Russell West-
offs Eastern Conference finals, Tuesday, May 21, 2019 in Toronto. contract extension worth consecutive seasons as a brook, Blake Griffin and
Associated Press about $221 million from the first-team player, a record Rudy Gobert.q
Hornets if he opts to stay he shared with Karl Malone,
By BRIAN MAHONEY with supermax contracts in Charlotte, a reward the came to an end. He did,
AP Basketball Writer based on their selections NBA put in recently as fur- however, make his 15th
NEW YORK (AP) — Giannis to one of the three All- ther incentive to keep play- consecutive appearance
Antetokounmpo and NBA teams that were an- ers with their current teams. on the All-NBA roster — join-
James Harden got the nounced Thursday. The Hornets could have of- ing Kobe Bryant as the only
most votes, and Damian LeBron James also was fered him about $30 million players to make that many
Lillard and Kemba Walker voted to the third team, ty- less if he wasn't selected teams in consecutive fash-
were also big winners when ing the NBA record with his and failed to earn the cri- ion. The 15th All-NBA nod
the All-NBA teams were an- 15th All-NBA selection. teria for the largest possible also tied James with Bryant,
nounced. Rounding out the first team contract. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and
Those guards can cash in were Stephen Curry, Paul Lillard, a second-team se- Tim Duncan for the most in