Kevin Durant is expected to return for the Golden State Warriors on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, as long as he suffers no setbacks in the final stage of his recovery process. That would give Durant three regular season games with the Warriors before the postseason arrives.
Kevin Durant expected to return from injury on Saturday
Durant’s return is imminent.
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Durant was fully cleared to return to practice on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes.
On Feb. 28 against Washington, Durant suffered an MCL sprain that has kept him out for the past 17 games. Golden State plays two more games before Saturday, against the Timberwolves at home and vs. the Suns in Phoenix. Their final three games are all at home, which will allow Durant a comfortable, controlled return to form for the superstar who joined Golden State last summer.
Durant’s absence from the Warriors has clearly hurt them in some ways, but lately, Golden State has been rolling anyway. Golden State has rattled off 11 straight wins, prompting Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to joke that they might not even need him when he returns.
However, Golden State’s struggles earlier in Durant’s absence proves how valuable he is. Whenever the Warriors just need a player who can “go get a bucket,” Durant is that player. From March 8 to 11, the Warriors lost three straight games — vs. Boston, at Minnesota and at San Antonio in the infamous “rest” game — for the first time since 2014. Though their winning streak came after that, it was a reminder that they need Durant.
Durant is playing 3-on-3 and 4-on-4 with the team, according to ESPN. Kerr told reporters over the weekend that Durant will return to the starting lineup whenever he is cleared by trainers.
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