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It looks like we might see Kevin Durant tonight, when the Golden State Warriors visit the Toronto Raptors for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
Durant went through a full shootaround on Monday morning, and has been upgraded to questionable. The Warriors are listing him as a game-time decision.
Kevin Durant went through full shootaround, getting treatment now, still a game-time decision, Steve Kerr says.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) June 10, 2019
However, the “game-time decision” label appears to be a little misleading. According to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, the team expectation is that Durant is good to go. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski added that Durant plans on playing.
Though the Warriors are saying Kevin Durant (calf) is ‘a game-time decision’ for Game 5 Monday night, he’s expected to be a full go, according to multiple league sources.
— Monte Poole (@MontePooleNBCS) June 10, 2019
Golden State's Kevin Durant plans to play in Game 5 tonight, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 10, 2019
This is, of course, tremendous news for the Warriors, who have struggled in the Finals without Durant. The Warriors have fallen behind in the series 3-1, and need to win three straight games - with two being on the road.
It won’t be an easy task in any form, but it certainly will be easier with Durant back on the court.
We’ll have to see how Durant looks, but he’ll have a strong impact regardless. Toronto will be forced to defend him, and even if he lacks mobility he’ll be a shooting option that brings great value to the offense.
Buckle up, Dub Nation. Things are getting interesting.